-Buba Marwa to Chair Opening Ceremony
As community pharmacists nationwide prepare ahead of their forthcoming 38th Annual National Conference tagged ‘Tunmbin Giwa 2019’, scheduled to hold in the ancient city of Kano, Kano State, from Sunday, 30 June to Saturday, 6 July 2019, at the Afficent Event Centre, Nassarawa, GRA, Kano City, the National Chairman, Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Pharm. Samuel Oluwaoromipin Adekola, has assured members of unprecedented improvements at the conference.
Pharm. Adekola, made this known at a press briefing in preparation for the conference, held at the ACPN Secretariat in Opebi, Lagos recently.
Themed: “Tackling the Menace of Drug Abuse in Nigeria: An Innovative Approach”, the ACPN helmsman assured that he would ensure that this conference remains memorable in the minds of the community pharmacists across the country, saying no other conference before it would be able to match its success. Adekola added that the conference has a number of interesting theme and sub-themes which would be handled by notable Pharmacy professionals, erudite speakers and seasoned teachers, who have distinguished themselves in their chosen professions.
According to him, the keynote speech will be delivered by Pharm. (Alh) Ahmed Yakasai, the immediate past president, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), adding that the conference will also have in attendance eminent personalities and various stakeholders from all walks of life; including Rtd Gen. Buba Marwa, former governor of Lagos State, and chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse (PACEDA), who will chair the opening ceremony; Governor of Kano State, Mallam Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, will declare the conference open; Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, president, PSN; Pharm. NAE Mohammed, registrar, PCN; Prof Moji Adeyeye, director general, NAFDAC; Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, former minister of health, amongst a host of others.
The chairman reiterated that adequate security will be provided within and around the venue of the conference, just as he promised that the event will be a rewarding experience for all participants. He noted that the conference would be a rewarding experience for corporate participants and exhibitors who will avail themselves of the unique opportunity to showcase and expose their products and services to the teeming audience expected at the conference.
He further revealed that the conference will feature innovative and memorable events, including a one-day PCN accredited pre-conference workshop; clinical master classes; business strategy master-class; night of fun and relaxation. “We have also secured the best deal for our members through the Registrar, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, Pharm. NAE Mohammed, who has approved a full module of MCPD during this conference, and we are going to have the maiden edition of the ACPN Faculty running Continuing Education Programme, which will afford every participant a minimum of 10 points unit. So Kano is set to make history”.
When asked the reason for the choice of Kano for the conference, the ACPN boss said Kano State was chosen because the state was qualified to host the conference just like every other states in the country, adding that he had been assured by the host that the state was ready, stressing that he had also personally ascertained their readiness personally.
Speaking further, the number one community pharmacist in the country said the theme was carefully chosen because of its importance to national development, stating that community pharmacists have always been at the receiving end whenever issues that relate to drug abuse is mentioned.
“As I have always said, the panacea for drug abuse is community pharmacy. If all drugs in the community are left in the hands of the community pharmacists, we won’t have any issue with drug abuse
“We are looking at the innovative approach to bring an end to this menace and that is why we have decided to give the job to a capable hand, in person of Alh. Ahmed Yakassai, the immediate past president, PSN, and founder, Safe Medicine Foundation, who is going to deliver the keynote address during the opening ceremony.
“We are also going to celebrate some notable Nigerians who have distinguished themselves through their services to this country and notable among them includes, Late Pa Adekunle Ajasin, the first executive governor of Ondo State, whom we are going to give a post humour award; Alh Aminu Dantata, of Dantata Groups of Companies; Chief Samuel Adedoyin, of Doyin Groups, amongst many others as an appreciation to what they have done for the country. So it’s going to be a round peg in a round hole,” Adekola said.
Other executive members at the press briefing were Pharm. Abosede Idowu, national secretary, ACPN, and Pharm. Eze Ambrose, national treasurer.
