Pharm. Adanna Thelma Obodoh has emerged as the distinguished winner of the Samuel Ewelike Best Achievers’ Award at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT). She was announced the pioneer winner of the award at the recently conducted induction ceremony of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT).
Established in 2025 by the visionary pharmacist and educator, Samuel Ewelike, the Samuel Ewelike Best Achievers’ Award stands as a beacon of excellence in the field of pharmaceutical science.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Pharmanewsonline, Ewelike, a young alumnus of Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty, ESUT, disclosed his motive for initiating the award, saying it was instituted with the profound purpose of recognising, celebrating, and nurturing the brightest minds emerging from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science at ESUT.
“The conceptualisation of the award idea came from my unwavering commitment to advancing pharmaceutical education and practice in Nigeria and beyond. Drawing from my vast experience and understanding of the field’s evolving landscape, I envisioned an award that would not only honour academic achievement but also inspire innovation, ethical leadership, and a global perspective among budding pharmacists,” Ewelike stated.
The Acting Dean, Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty, ESUT, Prof. C. J. Mbah, in a statement shared with Pharmanewsonline appreciated Pharm. Ewelike’s vision and passion in nurturing Pharmacy graduands from the faculty. He noted that the winner emerged after a careful selection by a committee of five senior academic staff, who evaluated the best five students for the 2023/2024 academic session, and they adjudged Obodoh as the worthy winner.
On behalf of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Prot. Mbah said, “I would like to immensely thank you for instituting this Academic Excellence Award for ESUT Pharmacy Graduands.
“Out of sixty-three (63) Pharmacy graduands of 2023/2024 academic session who got inducted into the Pharmacy profession on March 27, 2025 by the Registrar of Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), your award went to Ms. Obodo, Adanna Thelma.
“A committee of five senior academic staff evaluated the best five students for the 2023/2024 academic session, and the committee found her to be the best of the five in terms of academic excellence, punctuality/attendance to lectures and laboratory practical sessions, discipline and other extracurricular activities.”
The elated Miss Obodoh, who went home with a cheque of one hundred and fifty thousand naira, award certificate, and other mentorship benefits, expressed her profound gratitude to the Almighty God, for successfully completing the programme and to the founder of the award, Pharm. Ewelike, for his magnanimity and philanthropy in motivating young graduands to aspire for excellence in all their endeavours.
She said, “It’s my honour to be named the winner of Pharm. Samuel Ewelike Best Achievers’ Award. This award shows how true the journey through the school of Pharmacy was. I am particularly grateful to our principal Pharm Samuel Ewelike, who deemed it fit to bestow this award on us. I want to appreciate the award committee and everyone involved in the selection process up until the interview, I’m honestly grateful. To my parents who made this journey a possibility, I say a resounding thank you. To my friends and colleagues who have been there supporting and standing by me through the thick and the thin, God bless you.
“Finally, I wish to thank God for His love and kindness seeing me successfully through this phase.”
Ewelike hinted further on the rigorous selection process of the award, saying it is more than just a recognition of scholastic prowess; it is a comprehensive evaluation of a student’s potential to make significant contributions to the pharmaceutical industry.
He mentioned the selection criteria to include academic excellence, research aptitude, ethical considerations, leadership and teamwork, industry relevance, and global perspective.
The panel of judges for the award, according to Ewelike comprised of internal and external pharmaceutical professionals from ESUT. They include, Pharm. Chijioke Michael Ezema, a distinguished Nigerian pharmacist and health educator, who has established himself as a rising leader in the field of pharmacy and public health; Pharm. Achor Elvis, a dedicated pharmacist, passionate about pharmaceutical sciences and research; Pharm. Ewelike, a certified public health professional, licensed pharmacist, graduate of the University of New Haven in Connecticut, USA, and the founder of the award.
Also Emmanuel Adebola Adebanjo, a certified health, safety, environment (HSE) expert, researcher, and public health graduate of the University of New Haven in Connecticut, USA; and Onojah Jude Chukwuemeka, a certified chemist, researcher, and Ph.D. student in the Department of Chemistry at Howard University, Washington, D.C.
