As part of efforts to ensure smooth operations and elevation of the Pharmacy profession in the West African Region, the West Africa Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (WAPCP) has commenced plans to build a four-storeyed secretariat in Lagos, Nigeria.
The President of the College, Distinguished Professor Cecelia Igwilo disclosed this on Tuesday during a visit to Pharmanews corporate head office in Lagos, with other leaders of the college. She said the leadership of the college decided to visit Pharmanews Ltd, to officially notify the Publisher, Pharm. (Sir) Ifeanyi Atueyi of the building project.
The project, according to the leadership of the college, which will be on three plots of land in Jibowu Street, Yaba Area of Lagos State, is estimated to gulp N1.2 billion and the land for the building project has already been acquired.
Speaking about the building project, the Chairman of building committee of the College, Pharm. (Sir.) Anthony Akhimien, said the building is scheduled to be completed within 24 months. He therefore called for support and donations toward the successful completion of the project.
He said it has become necessary for the college (WAPCP) to have its own permanent secretariat. He noted that other similar bodies in the health profession are moving into their permanent secretariat, so the college felt that there is need for a permanent and befitting building that will house the college; hence the project committee was constituted with at least a member from all the countries including : Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ghana and Nigeria. He disclosed that the committee, through the support of all members of the college searched and acquired three plots of land at Jibowu Street.
The overall aim of the project, according to the chairman, is to have a building that will befit the college in the West Africa Region. He said “We have come up with a four-storeyed building; the ground floor will be parking space, the other floors will be for utilities, as hall for conference, meeting rooms and also for some lodging apartment. It’s going to be an all embracing and comprehensive befitting building. We need about N1.2 billion to put the structure in place”.
Speaking further, the building committee chairman said “The time to start the building is about now, as we speak now, our application is already at Alausa to get approval for the drawing. So we are in Pharmanews to intimate one of our foundation members. We are ready to start the building. We are hoping to do the ceremonial foundation laying of the building In May during Annual General Meeting that will take place in Lagos, Nigeria, and we are hoping to complete the project within 24 months”.
Atueyi commended the leadership of the college for the good work they are doing. He urged them to keep documents of the activities of the college, saying “The college must keep document because sometimes, one can forget things but when it is documented, it can be passed to generation to come. We need documentation because the college has achieved a lot”.
He also praised the committee for initiating such huge project for the college, saying with much dedication and trust in God, it will be accomplished. “When you talk of four storeyed building, I begin to imagine it. But when you set your mind on it, it will be achieved. God will make the resources available. However, the dummy should be displayed at the college office so that everybody can see it every day”.
The Nigeria Chapter Chairman of the College, Pharm. (Dr) Margaret Obono, appreciated the Pharmanews publisher for his selfless effort and service towards the advancement of the pharmaceutical industry, saying the college will always covet his advice. On the forthcoming AGM of the College, Obono noted that the Chairman of Access bank, Dr Dere Awosika will be the chairman of the conference while Pharm. (Dr) Okey Akpa, will be the keynote speaker.
The event comes up from 16 to 18 May, 2022, at Welcome Centre Hotel, Lagos, Nigeria. The theme of the symposium is “Medicine Security in the West Africa Region: Matter Arising”.
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