Personality of the month-Pharm. (Barr.) Steve Azubuike Okoronkwo

pharmacy

Pharm. (Barr.) Steve Azubuike Okoronkwo, managing director of Al-Tinez Group (Al-Tinez Pharmaceuticals, Centaur Pharma, Xcel Pharma, Al-Tinez Visions Limited and Al-Tinez Consumer Care Limited) was born on 20 December, 1967.

A native of Akokwa, Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State,Okoronkwo  attended  Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha from 1980 to 1985 and University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1986-1991) where he studied Pharmacy.

In 1998, the versatile pharmacist was admitted to study Law at the University of Lagos, Akoka. On graduation in 2005, he attended the Nigerian Law School and finished in 2006.

Due to his passion for continuous self-development, Okoronkwo went through the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists programme between 2002 and 2007. Two years after, he was back at the University of Lagos, Akoka for his MBA (2009–2011).

His work experience began at the Murtala Mohammed  Specialist Hospital, Kano, in 1991, where he worked as a pharmacist. He was also at the NNPC Medical Clinic, Benin City, in 1993, as part of his NYSC programme.

Between 1996 and 1997, he was a superintendent pharmacist at BC &Partners Limited, Onitsha. He also worked at Al Pharma Limited in 1998. He eventually started his own company, Al-Tinez Pharmaceuticals, in 2001.

A member of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s delegates on trade mission to Vietnam in 2008, Okoronkwo is also the director of Al Pharma Limited, Pharmachoice Limited and Vixel Resources Limited (pharmaceutical wholesalers).

The pharmacist is a member of the following associations: Nigeria-Chamber of Commerce, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (AIPN), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) and Fellow, West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists.

Among his numerous awards are:Platinum Mentor Award of the Young Pharmacists Forum (2007);Distinguished Good Ambassador of the Advent of Our King Anglican Church, Egbu, Owerri (2008); Friendship Award of District 404A Lion Club Nigeria (2010) and Entrepreneurship Award of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Anambra State chapter (2012).

Others are: Certificate of Merit in Recognition of Contribution to Health Care Delivery System and Pharmacy practice in Nigeria by the PSN, Abia chapter (2012) and Distinguished Merit Award by the Nigeria Bar Association, Badagry branch, Lagos State (2013).

As part of his extra-curricular activities, Pharm Okoronkwo enjoys travelling, reading and listening to music. He is married, with four children.