From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
Excitement rented the air that afternoon at the ETF Auditorium, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam , Anambra State. The Hall was filled to the brim and spilling over outside as excited parents, friends and well wishers came from different parts of the globe to rejoice with another history makers, the second set of graduating pharmacists from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the Anambra State owned University.
The brand new Pharmacists, 142 in number, brimmed with smiling faces, looking their best in their graduation gowns. They are the stars of the moment who formed part of the consolidation process of the Faculty in successfully graduating another set after the pioneer graduands were inducted earlier this year.
The Dean, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prof Theophine Akunne in a welcome address during the induction ceremony said the Faculty has added another feather to her landmark achievements describing the feat as the Lord’s doing marvelous in the sight of men.
He said the graduands have undergone intense academic training in the Faculty for the past five years and have been certified worthy in character and academically empowered to practice pharmacy in Nigeria and beyond.
“Your resilience, hard work, doggedness, and sleepless nights have now paid off. We wish you well in all your future professional engagements”
Prof Akunne described the University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Greg Nwakoby as a “Pharmacy-friendly VC” whom he noted that his doggedness and efforts enabled the Faculty to obtain full accreditation with both the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria(PCN).
“The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences COOU , is no longer a neonate Faculty, as we mark our second induction ceremony today. The Faculty has made other development strides in her pursuits of academic excellence. By the next academic session, we shall be starting the six year Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm. D) Programme , in line with the directive of the PCN” he said.
While thanking the supporters of the faculty, Prof. Akunne appealed to the state government to look into their challenges of the need for additional academic staff in the Faculty to meet up with the demands of the Pharm D programme, more buses for transportation of pharmacy students to places they undergo clinical training among others.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Greg Nwakoby in an address noted that the second induction ceremony being held might be the last under his tenure as VC.
He said the story and history of this Faculty will be incomplete without the mention of some certain individuals and persons who paid the price and the cost for what the young graduates are enjoying presently.
People like the Traditional Ruler of Ogidi kingdom, Igwe (Pharmacist) Alex Onyido whom he disclosed came to the rescue when the Faculty could not go for accreditation because of paucity of funds and lack of finance but the Igwe intervened and singlehandedly paid for a laboratory for the department of clinical pharmacy and also for the e-library.
“As if that was not enough, he gave us a second Faculty building “
“Another is Dr Eric Okoye of JUHEL Pharmaceuticals who contributed the three T’s -Time, Talent and Treasure . As a member of the governing council, he was the one that pressed it home for the governor’s approval for the recruitment of more lecturers for the department.
“In all our accreditation, he was there both as a Governing Council member, as a lecturer as well as a financier. He was with us all through the accreditation”.
The Vice Chancellor recalled that the establishment of a Faculty of pharmacy wasn’t an easy one noting that when he came in 2018, there was no structure but rather the entrepreneurial centre was used both as lecture halls and staff offices.
He recalled that those who were impatient among the students left but those who kept faith in the system continued to stay and are now reaping the fruits of their patience.
He congratulated them for the milestone and the faith they kept with the school when things were not rosy.
He congratulated the parents also for paying the price of what the students have gained.
The Vice Chancellor also showered accolades on the Dean, Prof Theophine Akunne whom he disclosed came from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka on a rescue mission like the Biblical Jonah.
The Keynote Speaker, Dr Ikem Odumodu while speaking on the theme of the induction ceremony, “Welcome to a World of Opportunities and Possibilities”, told the inductees that the pharmacy profession offers a wide job and career opportunities for talented pharmacists and charged them not to wait for opportunities but to create opportunities for themselves.
The Chairman of the occasion, Dr Eric Okoye described the pharmacy profession as a very tempting one where one can ruin or prosper himself within few months and expressed belief that by the grace of God, the inductees will focus on the reason they chose the profession and also abide by the rules guiding the profession
Pharmacist Cynthia Ijeoma Obikeze emerged the Best Graduating Student of the year as a Record Breaker as she collected prizes for emerging the best graduating student too in Pharmacology and Toxicology, Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology, Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Management, Pharmacy Management and Administration, Pharmacognosy, Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology.
Pharmacist Obikeze in her valedictory speech, appreciated all that contributed to getting her and her fellow graduands to where they are today and advised the upcoming pharmacy students to set goals and focus on achieving them.
Special awards were given to both lecturers, best graduating students, Igwe Onyido of Ogidi, Dr Okoye, among others.
The Registrar of Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, Pharm.Ibrahim Ahmed noted that the inductees have toiled over the years to attain their present level and told them that as they fulfil other requirements of the council like the one year internship training, they should maintain high ethical standards in their practice and also urged them to continue to improve themselves with life saving skills.
“As an advice to the new graduands, I wish to add that you should not fill your career with abandoned projects, make purposeful changes in life to compliment your experience, be focused on your targets and wait patiently for your reward. It is my wish that you have a memorable and mutually satisfying practice experience,” the Registrar admonished.