The Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta State University, Abraka, recently graduated 76 students, who were all inducted into the pharmacy profession by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN).
Leading the set of graduating pharmacists was Joshua Ilebe, who emerged Overall Best Graduating Student, having finished with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.83.
The oath-taking/induction ceremony was held within the university premises, with the State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Nyerhovwo Tonukari, in attendance.
While speaking at the event, shortly before administering the oath to induct the graduands, PCN Registrar, Pharm. Babashehu Ahmed, noted that the oath-taking/induction ceremony was a requirement for registration as a pharmacist, as stipulated by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2022.
The registrar, who was represented by the Council’s South-South Director, Pharm. Azeez Maude, charged the inductees to maintain high ethical standards and leadership qualities, as prescribed by the PCN. This, he said, would make them worthy ambassadors of the profession and their university. He also urged the graduands to work for the advancement of the healthcare sector.
Ahmed further charged the graduands to immediately proceed for the prescribed one-year internship, and to work hard to pass the compulsory Pre-registration Examination for Pharmacists (PEP), which would qualify them to practise in Nigeria.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Andy Ogochukwu Egwunyenga, assured that the institution would continue to ensure that students do not spend an extra year in any of its academic programmes.
The VC, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Ochuko Anomohanran, said the stable academic calendar in the university had enabled it to contribute significantly to national development with the regular graduation of students from all its 90 fully-accredited programmes.
According to Egwunyenga, the university started the pharmacy programme 18 years ago, adding that the recently graduated students were the 13th set in the annals of the university. He expressed appreciation to the Delta State Government for consistently supporting the institution in its quests for advancement.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Dr John Avbunudiogba, congratulated the graduands and informed them that the oath-taking/induction ceremony qualified them to be professional colleagues of their lecturers.
Avbunudiogba, however, revealed that, while the graduating students underwent the five-year programme from 100 Level, which culminated in the award of a Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm.) degree, the current set of 100 Level students were admitted into the newly-approved six-year programme that would earn them a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree.
While delivering the keynote address, titled “What Next? A Glimpse into Life after Graduation: Conventional and Off Label Perspectives in Pharmacy Practice”, Prof. Matthew Ikhuoria Arhewoh, charged the graduands to make advancement of the cause of humanity their ultimate goal.
The professor of pharmaceutics and pharmaceutical technology admonished the new pharmacy professionals to choose appropriate mentors to guide them professionally and spiritually. He also urged them to continue learning and constantly strive to be accountable.
Arhewoh further charged the graduands to work hard to always push themselves to do better than their last best accomplishments and to trust God for a successful career.
Besides the administration of oath to the inductees by the PCN registrar, the other highpoint of the event was the presentation of prizes and awards to outstanding students. Among other prizes and awards, the Overall Best Graduating Student Award went to Pharm. Joshua Ilebe.
Ilebe also clinched six other awards/prizes, including the Joseph Eni Prize for Academic Excellence, worth N500,000.
