– Elevates Atueyi to BOT membership
Four pharmacists and 25 other professionals from different walks of life were recently inducted into the fellowship of Professional Excellence Foundation of Nigeria (PEFON).The induction ceremony, which took place at Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja on 11 June, 2016, also witnessed the elevation of Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi, managing director of Pharmanews Limited, to member of Board of Trustees (BOT).
With the exception of Pharm. Nnamdi Okafor, managing director of May & Baker Plc., who was represented by Pharm. Everest Okeakpu, the company’s business development manager, the three remaining pharmacists – Sir Ike Onyechi, managing director of Alpha Pharmacy; Dr Michael Oyebanjo Paul, chairman of Mopson Pharmaceuticals Limited; and Pharm. Lekan Asuni, managing director of GlaxoSmithKline – were in attendance for the oath-taking ceremony.
- While expressing satisfaction at the choice of inductees and the new BOT member, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, PEFON chairman, expressed confidence that they would do wel
L-R: Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, chairman, PEFON board of trustees, decorating Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi, managing director of Pharmanews Limited as a memeber of the Board of Trustees (BOT).
Spurring the inductees, Adelusi-Adeluyi said: “Just as one drop of acid makes a difference to the PH level of water, I admonish all the professionals inducted today to do same to this foundation.
“I am particularly elated by the growing membership of pharmacists as we are known for best practice around the world.”
The PEFON chairman however noted that it is unfortunate that Nigeria seems not to be making much progress, despite having been governed by various leaders from different tribes since independence.
“Many today claim to be professionals but turn to be mere careerists,” he said. “Many revered the legendary Muhammed Ali, even in death, not because they love boxing or his personality. Ali was adored because of the numerous lives that he had touched. Now that is professionalism”, he said.
Echoing the sentiments of the chairman, Aare Ganiyu Koledoye, vice chairman of the Foundation emphasised that PEFON is not an institute but a professional foundation aimed at encouraging and empowering youths in the country.
“The Foundation is also open for collaboration. We urge those being inducted today to contribute their quota and avoid misdirecting our youths,” he declared.
Expressing his gratitude after taking the BOT membership oath, Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi promised to do all within his power to further elevate the rising profile of the Foundation.
In a similar vein, an excited Onyechi opined that PEFON’s aim at reawakening professionalism is the only way to rebuild the nation, adding that with the presence of proven professionals like Adelusi-Adeluyi and Atueyi as BOT members, he has no doubt the Foundation is going places.
Also in attendance were Mrs Olukemi Bailey, wife of PEFON founder; Mr Wale Ogunade, oath administrator; Sir Mike Ozekhome, legal luminary; and Tosin Awosika, pioneer member of Health & Managed Care Association of Nigeria (HMCAN).
The induction of the four pharmacists has swelled the number of pharmacy professionals in the fold of PEFON fellowship. Others are Dr (Mrs) Stella Okoli, chairman, Emzor Pharmaceuticals; Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, managing director of Juli Plc; Dr Nelson Uwaga, former PSN president and president of Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) and Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, PSN past president.
