–As Stakeholders Launch PHARMFORGE Initiative
Stakeholders in the pharmaceutical sector, including academics, professional leaders and students, have underscored the importance of structured mentorship in raising competent, ethical and impact-driven pharmacists capable of strengthening healthcare systems across Africa.
The position was reinforced during a mentorship programme organised in honour of Prof. Wilson O. Erhun at the ACE Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University, where participants celebrated the veteran pharmacist’s enduring contributions to pharmacy education, leadership development and professional mentorship.
The event attracted senior academics, pharmacy leaders, students, professional associations and international guests, all of whom paid glowing tributes to Prof. Erhun’s decades-long influence in shaping pharmacy practice and human capacity development within and outside Nigeria.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Harshipa Tarpeh, president of the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists, stressed that mentorship remains one of the most strategic tools for building sustainable professional excellence and leadership succession in the healthcare sector.
Speaking on the theme, “Mentorship as Legacy: Raising Competent Result-Driven Pharmacists for Africa’s Future,” Tarpeh noted that the future of pharmacy practice would depend largely on the ability of professionals to deliberately nurture younger generations through guidance, accountability and value-based leadership.
According to him, pharmacists operating within the evolving healthcare environment must possess not only academic and clinical competence, but also adaptability, courage, ethical discipline, collaborative skills and a strong sense of responsibility to patients and society.
The WAPCP President also advocated a shift from isolated mentorship relationships to institutionalised mentoring structures capable of producing consistent leadership and continuity within the profession.
He described Prof. Erhun as a mentor whose impact extends beyond teaching, noting that several pharmacists across different generations have benefited from his guidance, encouragement and professional example.
Tarpeh however encouraged younger pharmacists and students to intentionally seek mentors and embrace continuous personal and professional development as part of their career journey.
The programme featured goodwill messages from distinguished personalities and organisations within the profession, including Prof. Julius Soyinka, Dean, School of Pharmacy, OAU, and representatives of the Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN), the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students (PANS) and the National Fellowship of Christian Pharmacy Students.
Prof. Soyinka described Erhun as a disciplined scholar, visionary teacher and mentor whose contributions have continued to shape pharmacy administration, leadership training and academic excellence over the years.
International guests, Fred Eckel and Stephen Eckel from the United States, also delivered goodwill messages, where they commended Prof. Erhun’s unwavering Christian faith and his ability to combine spirituality, mentorship and professional service throughout his academic career.
A major highlight of the event was the unveiling of PHARMFORGE, a mentorship initiative introduced by Dr Ayodapo Oluwadare Jegede.
Explaining the vision behind the initiative, Jegede said PHARMFORGE was established to create a sustainable mentorship ecosystem that would connect mentors and mentees across various levels of pharmacy practice and education.
According to him, the initiative is designed to accommodate pharmacy students, intern pharmacists, early-career professionals, postgraduate researchers and international practitioners through a structured developmental process.
He disclosed that the programme would operate through five stages — Sign Up, Ignition, Core Forge, Capstone and Graduation — each aimed at strengthening mentorship engagement, project development, research collaboration, publication output and professional certification.
In his remarks, Prof. Erhun expressed appreciation to the leadership of WAPCP, professional colleagues, students, mentees and other stakeholders for the honour accorded him.
He described the recognition as deeply humbling and reflective of years of collective support, collaboration and sacrifice throughout his academic and professional journey.
Reflecting on his 47 years in service, including 21 years as a senior lecturer, the respected pharmacy scholar encouraged younger professionals to remain committed to integrity, excellence, lifelong learning and service to humanity.
