PCN Inducts 75 UI Pharmacy Graduands with 21 Distinctions

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No fewer than 75 Pharmacy graduands of the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan (UI), Ibadan, Oyo State, were recently inducted into the Pharmacy profession, by the Registrar, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), Pharm. N.A.E Mohammed, at the induction ceremony, held at the University of Ibadan Alumni Association Multipurpose Auditorium, UI, Oyo State, Nigeria.

The glamorous induction ceremony had several dignitaries, Pharmacy professors, students, parents, pharmacists, and members of staff, Faculty of Pharmacy, UI in attendance.

Top among the dignitaries that graced the occasion were: Pharm. N.A.E  Mohammed Elijah, registrar, PCN, who was represented by Pharm. (Chief) Amaka Okafor, a director in PCN; Prof. Abel  Idowu Olayinka, vice-chancellor, University of Ibadan; Prof. Oluwatoyin Odeku, dean, Faculty of Pharmacy; UI; President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. (Mazi) Sam Ohuabunwa, represented by Pharm. Abiodun Ajibade, PSN chairman, Oyo State.

Others were: Pharm. Olugbenga Falabi, chief executive officer, Tiptop Nigeria Limited, who was the keynote speaker; Pharm. Lanre Tiamiyu, president, Pharmacy Alumni, University of Ibadan, represented by Pharm. (Dr) Yinka Adeyemi; Pharm. Yejide Oseni, zonal director, PCN, South West Zone; Chief Adetunji Amole, chairman, Board of Fellows, PSN, Oyo State; Pharm. B.L Akinwande, director of pharmaceutical services, Ministry of Health, Oyo State; Pharm (Dr) Hellen Oduntan, director of pharmaceutical services, University College Hospital (UCH), Oyo State, and Pharm. (Dr) Ronke Anifowoshe, head of pharmaceutical services, University of Ibadan, to mention a few.

In his address, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Abel Olayinka, charged the graduands to be good ambassadors of the institution, adding that they should be found worthy in character and in the discharge of their responsibilities.

He noted that numerous Pharmacy graduates of the institution have started contributing in several ways to the development of pharmacy practice in particular and Nigeria as a whole, adding that Pharmacy practice is an integral part of healthcare and cannot be substituted in the healthcare sector.

The university don, while congratulating the faculty on the new faculty building commissioned that same day, said his administration would continue its drive towards development in the institution and ensure that the status of the university remains the first in the country.

While presenting the 75 graduands for the oath-taking and induction ceremony, the dean of the faculty, Prof. Oluwatoyin Odeku, described the newly graduated set as most exceptional having recorded not only the highest number of graduands in the history of the faculty, but also the highest number of first class holders, with 21 of them with CGPA of 6.0, and above, out of the maximum of 7.0. She therefore urged the graduands to continue to uplift the banner of the university wherever they found themselves.

She further implored them to always be professional in their conducts and deeds, even during their internship, adding that they should strive to be outstanding in their chosen field of practice and should not be money conscious, but rather possess the zeal to save lives and satisfy the professional ethics of Pharmacy profession.

While administering the oath, the Registrar, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) Pharm. Elijah Mohammed, who was represented by a director in the council, Pharm. (Chief) Amaka Okafor, urged the newly inducted pharmacists to abide by the ethics of the profession. He also advised them to develop leadership and interpersonal relationship skills, which he said were vital in pharmacy practice.

“We at the PCN solicit your support and cooperation in taking Pharmacy to the height it belonged. We also wish to advice you not to fill your career with abandoned projects, make purposeful changes in life to compliment your experience, be focused on your targets and wait patiently for your time,” she advised.

The keynote speaker, Pharm. Olugbenga Falabi, while speaking on the topic, “Nigeria Pharmacists, Panacea for Building a Healthy Nation”, explained that Pharmacy profession is not just like every other profession, but a unique profession and an essential arm of heath team that is indispensable. He added that pharmacists are trained in the art of drug making in order to save lives.

According to him, pharmacists are unique set of professionals whose responsibilities cannot be performed by any other person aside a trained pharmacist. “The difference between a medical doctor and a pharmacist is that based on their training, doctors know a lot about disease, but little about drugs, while pharmacist on the other hand knows little about disease, but knows everything about the drugs, so as pharmacists, you are the custodians of drugs, so you have a bigger role to play as far as healthcare is concerned”, he said.

The industrial pharmacist further admonished the graduands to train themselves in the act of communication, adding that effective communication skills is very important in pharmacy profession. He also advised them to work on their skills, build confidence and self-esteem, seek more knowledge, enroll for further training, and learn how to present effectively.

The high point of the event was the award of the much-coveted prize for the best graduating student, which was won by Adeboye Adekunle Bamgboye, with 6.8 CGPA, out of the total 7.0.

Meanwhile, 21 graduands came out with first class honours and were featured on the ‘Roll of Honour’,  they included, Adeboye Adekunle Bamgboye, 6.8 CGPA; Simisola Temidayo Oloye, CGPA of 6.7; Ololade Samson Gbadebo, 6.5; Oluwatobi Ebenezer Oni, 6.5; Ifeoluwapo Olu Osikoya, 6.5; Oyindamola Abraham Adeyemi, 6.3; Chinedum Keneth Ebisike, 6.3; Damiliola Daniel Ojumoola, 6.3; Elizabeth Damilola Oke, 6.3; Ayomide Esther Bello, 6.3; Temiwumi Olaoluwa Akinmuleya, 6.2; Margaret Ebun Olawale, 6.2; Ayomide Tolulope Oyedele, 6.2; Oluwaseun Deborah Samue, 6.2; Oluwafunke Victoria Amusan, 6.1; AbdulWarith Folarin Kazeem, 6.1; Raheemot Ibilola Lawal, 6.1; Sarah Oluwagbeminiyi Onabajo, 6.1; Oluwaseyi David Akin-Ojo, 6.1; Oluwatosin Smith Adelowo, 6.0; and Adeola Oluwaseyi Bamisaiye, 6.0.