The immediate past President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. (Mazi) Sam Ohuabunwa, has advised the leadership of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) to remain committed to the goal of advancing the interests of the association, while remaining united, noting that the general acceptance of the new chairman, Pharm. Wale Oladigbolu, is an indication that ACPN is on the path of greatness.
The respected pharmacist said this during a recent courtesy visit by the national executive members of the ACPN, led by Oladigbolu, to the PSN National Secretariat, Pharmacy House, in Anthony, Lagos, few days before the expiration of Ohuabunwa’s tenure.
Addressing the delegation, the former PSN president debunked rumours of a rift the ACPN leadership, saying certain decisions he took were simply to correct isolated anomalies.
He said, “We thank God for the successful transition and for giving us a brand new leadership. The world is a dynamic place and one of the things that happen in life is that we do come and go. So the most important thing is to do our best when we have the opportunity, as history is always there to judge us on what we did and what we didn’t do well. But it becomes a problem when a human being attributes infallibility to himself; it is a bad thing.
“I am indulgent, I am tolerant, and I have a fatherly posture, but I believe in discipline because a society without discipline is bound to fail. Discipline is what keeps an association going and maintain regularity and credibility. So I think the issue on ground had been a personal issue all along; so it does not in any way affect the relationship between the PSN and ACPN.
Ohuabunwa added, “I have no issue with ACPN, as it’s a very important part of me as the PSN president, as a former chief executive officer of Neimeth, as a pharmacist and an elder in the profession. So I cannot have an issue with a technical arm as important as ACPN. Even if any issue arises at all, it has to be settled and we move on.”
Speaking further, Ohuabunwa urged the ACPN executives to be determined to do their best in rendering exceptional services, regardless of challenges, stressing that the reward of their service will come sooner or later.
Responding to the remarks, Oladigbolu said that the association’s visit was to show appreciation to him for his continual support and fatherly role over the years, adding that it was also to seek his elderly advice, while intimating him with the plans of the ACPN for the next three years.
Oladigbolu further noted that the visit was very significant, as it was his first visit to the PSN Secretariat since his assumption of office as national chairman.
The ACPN boss further seized the opportunity to state some of his administration’s plans, including the community pharmacy expansion scheme, the clean medicine initiative, the depth and growth of Pharmacy practice, as well as the leadership trust project, which he said the association will vigorously work on.
Oladigbolu said, “Our mission was to come with all our executive members, but due to distance issue, finances and other logistic reasons, we had to come as we are. We are here to seek your support as we hit the ground running on our programmes and as we plan to have our inauguration very soon.”
Others in attendance at the meeting were Pharm. Ambrose Eze, national secretary, ACPN; Pharm. Mrs Ashore Omokhafe, national treasurer, ACPN, and Pharm. Charles Oluwaseyi, head of admin, ACPN national secretariat.
