The Faculty of Pharmacuetical Sciences of the University of Ilorin on Friday inducts 52 graduands of the 2020/2021 graduating class of the Institution as Pharmacists.
Speaking at the induction ceremony, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Wahab Egbewole asserted that pharmacist occupies a very important position in the hierarchy of healthcare professions in Nigeria.
He observed that they play key role in patients therapy management, making them feel better and get well as quickly as possible.
Egbewole pledged his unflinching commitment to make the university the best again by any ranking in Nigeria and one of the best in Africa.
He reminded the pharmacists that patients recovery depends on thier ability to effectively collaborate with other healthcare providers to deliver creative and sustainable solutions, especially in cases requiring complex treatment.
“The values of team work are a sine qua non for optimal healthcare service delivery and should be upheld by all,” he said.
Also speaking, Pharm. Ibrahim Ahmed, the Registrar, Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) congratulated the inductees on their success, which he said, is a culmination of many years of dedication and hardwork, despite the interruption of academics by the pandemic and industrial actions.
“As newly inducted members of the pharmacy profession, I urge you to maintain high ethical conduct and leadership standards set forth by the PCN.
“You should endeavour to serve as examples for the achievement of excellence in the provision of quality pharmaceutical services for sustainable health care delivery in Nigeria,” he advised.
He reminded them of the global phenomenon that Pharmacy graduates are statutorily required to undergo 12 months of the continuous training programme under the supervision of a registered and currently licensed pharmacist in an internship centre approved by the PCN.
According to him, the internship period is primarily a training period and again a period of preparation for future opportunities.
Ahmed submitted that Pharmacy is a noble profession that guarantees opportunities for new graduates to have great prospects of practicing in different fields such as industries, communities, and hospitals.
“With this you have huge options to select from. In doing this, do not undermine the activities of your colleagues,” he said.
In his keynote address, Mr Bankole Ezebuilo, the Managing Director of Keyhealth Pharma, admonished the inductees to believe in thier dream.
He also advised them to be entrepreneurial in job seeking, adding that self employment allows them to use thier specific skills.
“Running your own business can be exciting but it is not necessarily an easy pathway,” he said.
Also speaking, Dr Sa’ad Abdullahi, the Dean of Pharmaceutical Sciences explained that this is the 7th Induction and Oath-taking ceremony of the Faculty.
He advised the inductees to approach the future with an open mind and be willing to learn for those they encounter.
Abdullahi noted that this 7th set of graduands are unique, adding that regardless of thier chosen area of practice, they have the opportunity to enrich the lives of those around.
“I congratulate the inductees on the successful completion of their programme, I urge them to be good ambassadors of the Faculty and the University,” he said. (NAN).
