The ranks of health personnel in Nigeria has risen with the induction of 142 graduating students of the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, into the Pharmacy profession on Friday, October 27, 2023 at the J. F. Ade-Ajayi Auditorium.
On hand to formally usher them in to the noble profession was the Registrar of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, who felicitated with the inductees and administered on them The Pharmacists Oath.
In her Welcome Address, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Prof. Gloria Ayoola, commended the Graduating Class of 2021/2022 for their courage, determination, and resilience. She acknowledged them as a record-breaking graduating set.
“I salute your courage and tenacity. You survived the distruption of COVID-19 and the 8-month nationwide strike of university workers in Nigeria. I am particularly proud of you because you have emerged stronger, wiser, and prepared to contribute meaningfully to the field of Pharmacy.”
She continued: “Ladies and Gentlemen, this year, we are inducting 142 students, twenty-four of who are graduating with distinctions, despite all the road blocks along the way. This is a record-breaking set!”.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS was represented at the event by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics & Research), Prof. Bola Oboh. She charged the Inductees to rise up to the challenge of their change in status, responding with a call-to-service mentality.
“You are no longer students! With your induction today, you’ve now become professionals in the Nigerian space. You are just starting. When you get out there, it will be up to you to distinguish yourself, putting to work all that you have learned here. We wish you all the best and are waiting to cheer your rise in the industry and every other place you may find yourselves. Congratulations!”
An alumnus of the faculty, of the 1993/1994 Set, Pharm. (Dr.) Uganze Eke, gave the Induction/9th Alumni Lecture. She spoke on the theme, “The Nth Star Pharmacist: Being the Best You can Be”. She charged the Inductees to recognise that the training they have received as Pharmacists makes them versatile professionals. She urged them to commit to continuous learning, leverage technology, and never forget to give back to their alma mater and nation with a sense of gratitude to God.
“The keyword, being a star, speaks to shining brightly. As wonderful as where you have arrived today is, our expectation for you is that it will be least you will ever be. The Sun shines because it continues to burn. In the same vein, if you must continue to glow and shine, you must continue to burn, to grow, and to evolve. The versatility of the training you have received has prepared you for success in any field of your passion. Go and excel!”
Six Inductees distinguished themselves with several awards, top of whom was Ms. Adebayo Khadijah Kofoworola, who emerged the Best Graduating Student. Deservedly, she won the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria Prize, Faculty of Pharmacy Dean’s Prize, Ginsomin Award to the Best Female Graduating Student, and Medplus Prize for Leadership and Academic Excellence (Female).
Other award winners were: Ms. Aina Eniola Olufunke, Mr. Adenigba Gbenga Adebisi, Mr. Adeagbo Ahmed Akande, Mr. Odidi Daniel Mofopefoluwa, and Ms. Adesegun Aanuoluwapo Temitope.
