Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai, president, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has cautioned pharmacists and other professionals in leadership role to eschew tribalism and religious discrimination.
Speaking at a two-day training organised by Achievers Forum business and health master class at Business School, Netherland, GRA Ikeja, Lagos on 15 August, 2018; Yakasai noted that to aspire to any post of leadership, pharmacists must be open-minded, competent and have positive approach to every challenge they encounter.
The PSN boss declared that the intuition of a leader is key because he would know where to go and how best to position himself.
“Leadership is about coordinating human and material resources. Whatever you are doing as far as leadership is concerned, honesty must be your ingredient. Dishonesty brings a lot of confusion,” he stressed.
Yakasai noted that aside being a lecturer in Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) and the Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), his leadership journey actually started after he went into full time research on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) when he graduated from school.
On completion of his research at a period when HIV was relatively known, the PharmaPlus director explained that he became a consultant so much that even the World Health Organisation (WHO) had to invite him to ascertain his level of competence.
“Don’t think about tribe nor religion. Always learn to respect peoples’ opinion. You will be limited for as long as you keep playing tribal and religious sentiments. I am telling you the truth because it is what I practise,” he urged.
In a related event, Pharm. Sesan Kareem, convener of the Achievers Forum also disclosed that leadership skills are essential traits of every successful individual.
According to him, a positive change in one’s self esteem, inner programming and attitude’ tends to lead to an overall positive outlook.
“Some people easily court attention anywhere they visit because of their positive vibe. They could be meeting for the first time, yet it appears as if they have known for ages,” he said.
In attendance were Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi, managing director of Pharmanews Limited; Pharm. Ernest Okafor, managing director of Nemitt Pharma; Pharm. Lekan Asuni, managing director, Lefas Pharmaceuticals Limited; Pharm. Lere Baale, director, Business School Netherland and Pharm. Tosin Adeyemi, former chairman, Nigerian Pharmacists in Academia (NAPA), Lagos chapter.
 has cautioned pharmacists and other professionals in leadership role to eschew tribalism and religious discrimination.){kind=link}