Yakasai Commissions Community Pharmacists’ Ultramodern National Secretariat

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The President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Pharm. (Alh.) Ahmed Yakasai, along with other prominent pharmacists, recently commissioned the new ultramodern national secretariat for the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN).

Some of the notable personalities that graced the occasion include: Pharm. UNO Uwaga, former president, PSN; Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi, publisher, Pharmanews; Pharm. Olumide Akintayo, immediate past president, PSN; Mr  Mayul Kaka, Phillips Pharmaceuticals; Pharm. (Mrs) Ejiro Foyibo, former national chairman, ACPN; Pharm. (Alh.) Olufemi Ismail Adebayo, former national chairman, ACPN; Pharm. (Mrs) Bukky George, managing director, Healthplus Pharmacy, among others.

Yakasai, while commissioning the edifice sited along the popular Allen Avenue Road, in the heart of Lagos, described the new secretariat as a symbol of restored glory for the community pharmacy practice nationwide, saying the project was long overdue for the national body, having occupied the former secretariat which was rented for over thirty-seven years.

The PSN President, who recalled that there was a time he called the national chairman, Pharm. Alkali that he was not going to visit the former secretariat again because he saw their continuous occupying of the place as an insult to the pharmacy profession, as the largest technical arm of PSN, and also for the fact that even state chapters of the association have more befitting secretariats, said he felt that the association deserved better.

The nation’s number one pharmacist, who noted with delight, that the commissioning of the magnificent and spacious edifice in a strategic location, such as Ikeja was one of the eloquent testimonies to show that his tenure and that of the ACPN leadership are not only making a difference but living up to their promises of taking pharmacy profession to higher level for posterity.

Yakasai, who described the new secretariat project as a milestone achievement, however, eulogised the ACPN leadership, led by Pharm. Alkali, describing them as heroes of the pharmacy profession, noting that such a landmark achievement wouldn’t have happened without their support, dedication, and commitment.

In his address at the event, an elated Pharm. Alkali, ACPN appreciated God who made the day a reality, despite several challenges, saying having occupied the former secretariat for over thirty years, it became a difficult task raising the financial need required for the project, knowing the economic challenge besetting the country at the moment.

Recalling the discouragements and doubts encountered during the execution of the project, Alkali said its completion and commissioning was a demonstration of the commitment of his administration to transform the image of community pharmacy practice in the country in all respects despite daunting odds.

According to him, the former secretariat which was a two-bedroom flat rented in a three- storey building on Ikorodu road, for over thirty years, had over the years sent wrong signals to the association's partners and members nationwide and had portrayed the association in a bad light.

“When I took over, I deliberately refused to renovate it, instead we devised means through which we can gather money and acquire a befitting national secretariat, so with the support of all community pharmacists nationwide, the PSN, led by our able President, Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai, Pharm. (Alh) Layi Gobir, who was our chairman, Fund Raising Committee; Mr. Mayul Kaka, of Phillips Pharmaceuticals, who was our chief launcher, and numerous others, the result is what we are seeing today,” he said.

Also speaking, Pharm. UNO Uwaga, chairman, ACPN Board of Trustees, and former president, PSN, described the project as a great achievement, saying it was saddening that an association like ACPN at the national level could be struggling to have a befitting secretariat for over thirty years, when smaller associations have better befitting secretariats.

He, therefore, commended the ACPN Chairman and his team for deeming it fit to have their names written in the book of history by ensuring that they are leaving behind, a befitting secretariat as a legacy, which would remain in their honour for posterity sake.

Also present at the commissioning ceremony where the National Secretary, PSN, Pharm. Emeka Duru; Pharm. (Mrs) Rosemary Nikoro, secretary, Board of Fellows; Pharm. Gbenga Olubowale, former chairman, PSN, Lagos State; Pharm. Gbolagade Iyiola, former national secretary, PSN; Pharm. (Mrs) Bukky George, chief executive officer, Healthplus Pharmacy; Pharm. (Mrs) Abiola Paul-Ozieh, immediate past chairman, ACPN, Lagos State; Pharm. Bola Oyawole, former PSN Chairman, Lagos State; Pharm. (Mrs) Bolanle Adeniran, chairman, PSN, Lagos State; Pharm. Samuel Adekola, national vice-chairman, ACPN; Pharm. Chima Ogbu, national publicity secretary, ACPN, among numerous others