The main hall of the secretariat of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Lagos State Chapter was filled on Thursday, as the Society inducted new pharmacists who recently relocated to the state into its warm fold. The inductees were charged to shun all manners of proxy dealings and embrace the virtues of honesty and integrity, as the technical groups’ leaders intimated to them their activities and the need for them to identify with one group in the state.
Speaking at the event, Pharm. Anthony Oyawole, chairman, Induction Ceremony, highlighted the calibre of pharmacists at the occasion to the new pharmacists, noting that they have distinguished themselves in their different specialties as CEOs, caregivers, professors, lecturers, communicators, decision-makers, managers, businessmen and more, as he urged them to emulate these older pharmacists.
Oyawole, a former chairman of the state chapter, mentioned integrity and leadership skill as paramount among the virtues that aided the professional growth of the majority of members in the state, noting that more is required from younger pharmacists, as they are expected to be change agents, with the obligation to change the profession and patients as well.
“We are leaders in our own right and the sky is the limit to what you can be. Who says one of you is not going to be president? You will be there and of course, you will be researchers, entrepreneurs, and much more,” he charged them.
The Keynote Speaker, Dr Monica Eimunjeze, who spoke on the topic “Achieving the Zenith of Pharmacy Profession” emphasised the importance of young pharmacists determining their area of practice and concentrating on it to get to the peak of their career. Identifying patient-centred care as the focus of pharmacy practice globally, she maintained that the inductees must familiarise themselves with the global practice as they operate locally.
To attain the zenith of their profession, the former acting Director General of NAFDAC shared some qualities and skills that will assist the youngsters in their journey, including collaboration, networking, integrity, innovation, continued education, research, leadership, resolute, dependability, trustworthy, intentional, social media savvy, among others.
As generation Z pharmacists, she stated that they are known for innovation, thus she urged them to bring their innovative skills to bear in the profession, by advancing the boundaries of possibilities in the healthcare space. “You must be very innovative. This generation Z that we have is a generation that thinks outside of the box. So innovation is in your DNA. Apply that innovation to Pharmacy. How can you improve on what we have? How can you take it to the next level in whatever area you find yourself?
Dr Eimunjeze elaborated on the qualities of integrity, dependability, and trustworthiness, as she asked them some real-time heart-searching questions that will play out in their day-to-day activities, which will enhance their assimilation of the speech. “Are you dependable? Can I depend on you? If you are put on a shift to be in the hospital from 9 to 2, can I be assured that you’ll be there at 9 and leave at 2?
She continued with her practical questions, “Or you decide to have your own POS alongside the POS of the organisation you are serving, are you honest? If you are not, then you stand the risk of putting all of us in a very, very nasty position, someday.” Dr Eimunjezie made them realise that there are extant laws that will be invoked against them once found wanting, so she warned them of the repercussions of such unethical practices in the profession.
A visiting Professor of Pharmacy from the United States of America, Prof. Christian Harrison; also addressed the inductees on the essence of acquiring leadership skills, stating that it is crucial to attain the peak of their career. He shared his academic story with them how he couldn’t graduate as the best student in his undergraduate days, the dream he had nurtured from the beginning of his programme, until he missed it in the last semester. As a determined individual, he narrated how he pursued the dream until his master’s programme, when he achieved his goal by graduating as the best student. He thus charged the young pharmacists to nurture their dreams and be dogged in actualising them.
Conducting the induction proper for the interns were Pharm. (Mrs) Bolanle Adeniran, a former chairman of the state chapter, and Pharm (Mrs) Foluke Akinniranye, who admonished them on the need to be focused and distinct in their career path. They explained that this will enhance their attainment of excellence in no-distance time. “There is nothing wrong with japa” Akinniranye said, but it is essential to ensure a clean professional record while here and maintain cordial relationships with their colleagues after they have travelled, because they may find themselves in need of their help later in the future.
The State Chairman, Pharm. Babayemi Oyekunle, who expressed his delight in the addition of the inductees to his members, stressed the essence of the ceremony, which was to acquaint the new entrants into the state with the practice of pharmacy and it also serves as an avenue for the inductees to know who is who in the profession in the state.
In consummation of the induction ceremony, Oyekunle invited Pa Deji Osinoiki, to pronounce the state chapter’s benediction on the inductees.
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