It was a memorable day for Yusuf Hassan Wada, winner, Pharmanews PANSite of the Year Online Poll, when he received his award plaque and a cheque in the sum of N50,000 from the Managing Director, Pharmanews Limited, Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi, on Wednesday, at the Pharmanews corporate head office, Mende, Maryland, Lagos.
Speaking at the award and cheque presentation ceremony, Atueyi acknowledged Wada’s commitment to serving humanity, saying he has distinguished himself among his peers for providing solution to the menace of drug abuse in his community, hence his emergence as the winner of the online poll.
Atueyi further stressed the need for more Pharmacy students to seek ways of providing valuable services to people in their communities, noting that it is service that comes before money.” It is not taking from people that make you successful, but success comes by adding values to people’s lives. Once you have the heart to help others, when you solve people's problem, then money will follow it”.
The Pharmanews boss urged Pharmacy students to desist from the attitude of getting quick money, which is the order of the day among youths nowadays, saying it doesn’t work out like that. “But if you solve people’s problem, the reward will definitely follow”.
Commending the award winner, he said Wada has been found outstanding among his colleagues from the 20 schools of Pharmacy in the country, which made him emerged winner of the contest. “When you have been able to secure the highest votes among your friends that means you are the best”.
In his response Wada expressed his immense gratitude to the Pharmacy Icon’s good gesture and all his friends who nominated and voted him for the award. He remarked that he never expected the award, as he was never expecting any reward for the voluntary service he was committed to.
Narrating his motivation to be engaged in public health advocacy, he said he discovered that the society is affected by many ills, and as a Pharmacy student, who is passionate about writing, he decided to get involved in drug abuse campaign in over 20 secondary schools in Katsina State, where he and his team enlightened students about the dangers of drug abuse and misuse.
Wada, a 21-year-old PANSite with a passion for advocacy on drug abuse, public health issues, research, youth involvement and Journalism, said he has several articles published in national dailies on how to curb the menace of drug abuse among students.
A native of Katsina, Katsina State, he is currently an advocate and ambassador of drug abuse, Programme Coordinator of Alhannan Charity, which led the sensitization and lectures series to over 20 schools in first phase, with the aim to help educate youths on the needs, rights and struggles of addicts and those in recovery stage.
He also serves as an executive member of Arewa Drug Free; National Public Relation Officer (PRO) and Chairman, Public Enlightenment Committee of PANS; Principal Editor PEN Press UDUS; Coordinator, Publicity subcommittee of 7th African Pharmaceutical Symposium (AfPS).
Wada also congratulated Pharmanews on its 40th Anniversary celebration and for emerging winner of the Nigerian Healthcare Media Excellence Award consecutively for three years- 2017, 2018, and 2019.
Atueyi, in conclusion admonished him to focus on his passion, gift and talent, as they will definitely make way for him.
