…As PSN President Warns Nigerians Against AI-Generated Fake Videos
Founder and Chairman of Bond Chemical Industries Limited, Chief (Pharm.) Theophilous Adebowale Omotosho, alongside former Chief Executive Officer of Fidson Healthcare Plc; Dr Fidelis Ayebae, and the first Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Gabriel Osuide, have been honoured with the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAPharm) Lifetime Achievement Award, the Academy’s highest distinction.
The awards were presented at the 11th Anniversary and Investiture Ceremony of New Fellows of the Academy, held at the Old Great Hall, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos, on 16 October, 2025.
Presenting the plaques, the NAPharm President, Prof. Lere Baale, described the Lifetime Achievement Award as “a symbol of the highest honour accorded by the Academy to individuals who have made enduring and transformative contributions to the Pharmacy profession and national development.”
“The Academy holds this award in the highest esteem because it reflects exceptional service to humanity,” Baale said. “Chief Debo Omotosho and other awardees have displayed uncommon commitment, innovation, and integrity that continue to inspire younger generations of pharmacists.”
Receiving the award, Chief Omotosho, who spoke on behalf of the honourees, expressed deep gratitude to the Academy for the recognition.
“To be remembered at this stage of one’s life by your professional colleagues is a thing of joy and something that money cannot buy,” he said. “This recognition is not only an honour but a call to greater service. We went to the rural areas not because of profit but to make quality and affordable medicines accessible to our people. That was our contribution to pharmacy and humanity.”
He urged young pharmacists to uphold professionalism above profit, stressing that integrity and service are the pillars of true success.
“Pharmacy is not just about selling medicines; it is about saving lives. When you do the right thing, profit will come naturally,” he added.
In his remarks, PSN President, Pharm. (Alhaji) Tanko Ayuba, commended the Academy for honouring deserving professionals who have served selflessly, saying the recognition would inspire others in the field. He also raised a matter of national concern, warning Nigerians to be wary of AI-generated fake videos circulating online and falsely attributed to public figures.
“There are deepfake videos on social media portraying people as speaking against pharmacists. Nigerians should disregard such materials, they are not real,” Ayuba cautioned. “These fake videos are misleading the public and damaging reputations. We must all be vigilant.”
The Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAPharm) is a specialised professional body dedicated to advancing pharmaceutical science, practice, and education, and fostering collaboration between pharmacy and other fields of learning.
The NAPharm Lifetime Achievement Award is conferred as a mark of honour for exemplary service and enduring impact on the profession and the nation’s healthcare system.
Over the years, the award has been conferred on only a few distinguished personalities. Previous recipients include Prof. Attahiru Jega, OFR, former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (2015); Prof. Julius Okojie, OON, former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (2016); Chief (Pharm.) Olu Ibukun Akinkugbe, CFR, the 4th President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (2018); and, in 2024, Pharm. (Sir) Ifeanyi Atueyi, founder of Pharmanews, and Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, former Minister of Health and founder of the Academy.
The 2025 ceremony also featured the induction of new Fellows and recognition of other distinguished personalities for their service to humanity.
%20Theophilous%20Adebowale%20Omotosho,%20alongside%20former%20Chief%20Executive){kind=link}