The Vice-Chancellor, Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Prof. Odunayo Clement Adebooye, has lauded the commitment of Vanguard Pharmacy's management in launching a new branch in the heart of Osogbo, the Osun State capital, amidst acute brain drain in the country.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the new branch, which is second in Osun State, and 10th nationwide, held recently at the popular Powerline area, Osogbo, Adebooye, a professor of Plant Physiology and Food Chemistry, commended the couple, Pharm. Taofik Odukoya and Mrs Kawthar Odukoya, the CEO and executive director respectively, for believing in Nigeria, irrespective of the present economic downturn.
He remarked that one of the ways to address the challenge of youth unemployment in Nigeria is to equip them with industry-oriented skills in line with international standards. He noted that when the first pharmacy was established, and they started making profits, if it were to be someone else, they would spent the money lavishly, adding that what kills many businesses today is early stage celebration
His words: “I want to appreciate the couple for this enterprise. I do say at a time that the university is a place for the introduction of propagation of knowledge. What an entrepreneur is taught in school is how to produce people who will be managers in the business. The Odukoyas have seen the good side of this business and they saw where people make progress in this business.
Corroborating the university don, the duo of Pharm. Kamordeen Bankole, chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, (ACPN), Osun State branch, and Pharm. Kayode Joseph Atere, a state officer of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), praised the founders of the Vanguard Pharmacy for putting the edifice together and meeting up to the standard.
According to Atere, the mission of PCN is to ensure that pharmaceutical premises are well-regulated, sanitised and to ensure that the drugs that people and members of the public purchase are of good quality and not adulterated; expressing trust in the capacity of the Vanguard Pharmacy to deliver.
“One of the PCN's roles is to help them meet their therapeutic requirements so as a regulator, we carry out regular monitoring exercises to ensure that these premises comply with the guidelines, as we encourage good pharmaceuticals practice”, he said.
“We have 100 per cent assurance because Vanguard is a big brand and we know over the years that they have maintained that integrity for years even when they started from Ibadan and I can guarantee you that whatever you get from this outlet is of good quality”.
Speaking earlier, Pharm. Odukoya said the opening of the second pharmacy store in Osogbo, and the 10th nationwide marks not only the expansion of their footprint but also a testament to their unwavering commitment to providing exceptional healthcare services to the people of Osun and Nigeria as a whole.
He said: “We are committed to fostering a culture of intrapreneurship and empowering our people to contribute to the economic growth of our nation.
Identifying multiple tax regimes and unpredictable forex policy as inimical to the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), in Nigeria, he sought government’s intervention in tackling multiple taxation and unstable forex market and high interest rates to stimulate employment opportunities for Nigerians.
“To our esteemed government officials, we recognise the complexities and challenges of leadership. We humbly seek your support in implementing policies that foster entrepreneurship and business growth.
“We urge you to address the micro and macro-economic factors that hinder progress, such as exchange rate fluctuations, high-interest rates, and multiple taxation regimes”, he added.
According to him, Vanguard Pharmacy is opening the tenth branch in Nigeria in its 17 years of existence, saying it has created thousands of jobs directly and indirectly, thereby stimulating economic activities in various states of the federation.
“Since our humble beginnings in 2006, Vanguard Pharmacy has been synonymous with excellence, innovation, and customer-centricity. We have transformed from a small 30-square-meter space in Ibadan into a thriving chain of pharmacies, veterinary, supermarkets, and bakeries, extending our reach across the south-western region of Nigeria.
“Today, we stand proud to have created over thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities through our network of partners since inception. With the opening of this Powerline, Osogbo branch, our direct employment has crossed an impressive 400 individuals. We are committed to fostering a culture of intrapreneurship and empowering our people to contribute to the economic growth of our nation”.-
In the same vein, Mrs Odukoya, the co-founder and executive director of Vanguard Pharmacy, expressed happiness over the success recorded so far, adding that the Vanguard Brand is surely living up to the expectations of the founders.
She however expressed gratitude to God that made it possible, the entire management and staff for their contributions, key partners for their unflinching support, customers for their continuous patronage as well as family and friends for their prayers. She added that Vanguard Pharmacy Limited will remain committed to its mission to “create smart health benefits for people to succeed and thrive”.
Some dignitaries present at the opening of the new branch include His Royal Majesty, Oba Rufai Adeleke Odumesi, the Lemo of Ode Lemo, Ogun State; Olori (Alh) Folasade Dumez, wife of Kabiyesi; Rotarian Barr. kayode Olowolagba, district governor-elect, Rotary District 9150, Osun State; Dr Rasaq Akintunde Akindele, executive secretary, Osun State Health Insurance Scheme, among Others.
A cross-section of Vanguard Pharmacy staff and well-wishers, in a group photograph with Pharm. Taofik Odukoya and Mrs Kawthar Odukoya, at the opening of the 10th branch in Osogbo, Osun State.
Prof Odunayo Clement Adebooye, vice-chancellor, Osun State University; Pharm. Taofik Odukoya, founder and chief executive officer, Vanguard Pharmacy, and Mrs Kawthar Odukoya, co-founder and executive director, Vanguard Pharmacy, at the opening of the 10th branch in Osogbo, Osun State.
, Prof. Odunayo Clement Adebooye, has lauded the commitment of Vanguard Pharmacy's manag){kind=link}