In what has been described as a feat not achieved by any pharmacist in the history of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. (Sir) Ifeanyi Atueyi, publisher of Pharmanews, has set the record through his 45 years of unbroken attendance of the Annual National Conference of the PSN.
The achievement, which was recently celebrated at the just concluded 91st Annual National Conference of PSN, held at the International Conference Centre, Ibadan, Oyo State, was accompanied by an Award of Recognition of the 45 years uninterrupted attendance of the conference, presented by the immediate past president of PSN, Pharm. Ahmed I Yakasai.
Presenting the prestigious award plaque to the Pharmanews boss at the colourful ceremony, graced by many distinguished pharmacists and guests, Pharm. Yakasai, praised Sir Atueyi for his dedication and consistency, while he urged other pharmacists to emulate Sir Atueyi’s steadfastness.
Appreciating Pharm. Yakasai for the award, Sir Atueyi, who attended his first PSN conference in 1973, noted that his uninterrupted 45 years attendance of the conference was only by the grace of God, as there were challenging times but he determined not to break the record.
His words: “In 2004, a close relation died, and the burial date coincided with the date of the conference. So I had to plead with family members to postpone the funeral to allow me attend the PSN conference for that year, and they granted me the permission”.
The Pharmanews publisher, who was the editor of the Pharmaceutical Journal, from 1974-1978, during the PSN presidency of Pharm. (Chief) Olu Akinkugbe, and Pharm. C.U Efobi, further attributed his feat to divine providence, as he never fell ill all through the period of these conferences, and finance was not a challenge to him.
Going forward, the septuagenarian expressed his desire to continuously attend the PSN conference; however, he noted that if he starts skipping the conference, it should be understandable due to age factor on his side.
He extended his profound appreciation to two former PSN presidents, Dr UNO Uwaga and Pharm. (Sir) Anthony Akhimien, for their presentation of Awards of Recognition for consistent conference attendance to him, in 2004 and 2009 respectively.
The management and staff of pharmanews join his family and friends to wish him many more years of PSN conference attendance in sound health.
, Pharm. (Sir) Ifeanyi Atueyi, publisher of Pharmanews, has set the record through his 45 years of unbroken attendance of the Annual National Conference of the PSN.){kind=link}