A cross-section of the “59 Champions” taking their Pharmacist Oath
In what has turned out to be an annual celebration of excellence, the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, has inducted and administered oath on 59 Bachelor of Pharmacy graduands.
The 28th Induction and Oath-Taking Ceremony which was conducted for the 2013/2014 set of pharmacy graduands on 14 May 2015 at the Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, had in attendance, dean of the Faculty, Prof Chinedum P. Babalola, deputy vice chancellor (academics), Prof. Gbemisola Oke; deputy provost, deans of other faculties and heads of department.
Also present at the occasion were the first dean of the faculty, Emeritus Prof. A. A. Olaniyi; Pharm. Chidi Okoro, General Manager Africa – Lucozade Ribena Suntory; Pharm. N.A.E Mohammed, registrar, Pharmacist Council of Nigeria (PCN) represented bythe PCN’s Director of Education and Training, Pharm. Anthony Idoko; representatives of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (Oyo State Branch); director of pharmaceutical services; Oyo State Ministry of Health; Oyo State Hospital Management Board; PSN Board of Fellows and families of the graduating students.
In his opening remarks at the event, chairman of the occasion, Prof. I. F. Adewole, congratulated the entire members of staff, students and alumni who had worked tirelessly to ensure stability of the faculty in terms of robust quality training at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
“The Faculty of Pharmacy is so dear to me because I am also part of its history,” Adewole said.”In fact, it was during my tenure as Provost, College of Medicine, that the dream of assuming a faculty stature was realised and my administration has supported the faculty in various ways.”
The celebrated don urged the inductees to be good ambassadors of the university, join the alumni association and contribute to the development of their alma mater. Adewole also admonished them to be heroes, great achievers, role models, life-long learners, and instead of making excuses, make choices that will positively transform their generation.
In her own remarks, dean of the Faculty, Prof Babalola thanked God for the conduct of the inductees, whom she tagged “The 59 Champions”.
She enjoined the inductees to continue to believe that they were the only ones who could determine the kind of career and life they wished to have.
Prof. Babalola further emphasised the need to uphold high level of discipline and integrity in all they do so as to be good ambassadors of the faculty and institution.
Delivering his keynote address, Pharm. Chidi Okoro listed a number of opportunities in the pharmaceutical sector that could make the graduands to reflect and plan ahead for a productive future.
“The pharmaceutical industry has huge headroom for expansion if you can make use of the opportunities that abound in the industry…I charge you not to get distracted in your course of adding values to the society. Otherwise how else can we explain a situation where we have about 3000 registered retail pharmacies in the country to serve a population of about 180 million Nigerians?” he said.
The former GSK (consumer) boss revealed that the current situation (economic and growth potential) in the country presented opportunities for pharmacists to contribute greatly to health care delivery in the nation.
He further advocated for better collaboration between the academia and NAFDAC,especially in the establishment of world class laboratories by NAFDAC in institutions like the University of Ibadan that would be used by NAFDAC and available for teaching and research by the faculty.
The hallmark of the occasion was the administering of the Pharmacist Oath on the graduands by the registrar, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, followed by the presentation of provisional certificates of registration to the graduands.
