Pharmacists under the aegis of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) have condoled with families and friends of the late former President of the Society, Prof. Ebenezer Olanrewaju Ogunlana, who passed on at the age of 87.
Sequel to the disclosure of his demise by the PSN President, Prof. Cyril Usifoh, through a statement, pharmacists have began to send their condolences to his family.
Usifoh, in an emotion-laden messgae, described the late Ogunlana as a legend who left indelible marks in the annals of the profession, by becoming the only pharmacist elected to lead the Association of Professional Bodies in Nigeria in the year 2000.
He noted that In his capacity as the helmsman of the Society from 1994 to 1997, the late Ogunlana achieved milestones that positioned him for a higher position in the country.
“As one of the pillars of the premier Faculty of Pharmacy in sub-Saharan Africa, Ogunlana rose to become the Head of Department (HOD) of the Pharmaceutics Department and was a two-time Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ife (now OAU), Ile-Ife.
“Ogunlana was also a one-time deputy vice-chancellor of the University of Ife before he finally bowed out of the academic walls in 1987”, he remarked.
Also condoling with the bereaved family, Pharmanews Publisher, Pharm. (Sir) Ifeanyi Atueyi, urged them to take solace in the fact that the late Ogunlana was a pharmacist who fulfilled his professional mission, having risen from the academia to the highest echelon of leadership in the Society.
“He will sorely be missed by all of us, especially his former students and those who witnessed his tenure”, he stated.
Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai, a former PSN President, was also among pharmacists who sent in early condolences to the family of late Prof. Ogunlana.
The former PSN helmsman, expressed his sadness to hear about the demise of the late academician, describing him as a dynamic ex-leader, whose impact on the profession will not be forgotten.
He said: “I'm sorry to hear about the passing of Prof. Lanre Ogunlana, our dynamic past president of PSN.
“His contributions to the field of Pharmacy will be remembered, and his legacy will continue to inspire many. My deepest condolences to his immediate family, friends, and the entire pharmaceutical community during this difficult time”.
The late Ogunlana, was a distinguished pharmacist and scientist was also a one-time president of the erstwhile West African Pharmaceutical Federation, which was a strategic template of National Pharmacy Organisations of Anglophone West African countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra -Leone, Gambia, and Liberia.
He was an holder of the National honour of the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) and was one of the pioneer Fellows of the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists in 1993 (FWAPCP).
His numerous works, research, and publications bear eloquent testimonies of why he left footprints on the sands of time.
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