The newly inducted pharmacists of Igbinedion University have been charged to contribute their quota towards advancing healthcare delivery in Nigeria. Professor Lawrence Ikechukwu Ezemonye, the Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, gave this charge on Tuesday during the 2021/2022 oath taking/induction ceremony of graduates of the College of Pharmacy of the University at Okada.
A total of 90 graduates were inducted into the pharmacy profession by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) at the ceremony.
In attendance were Honourable Emma Okoduwa, the Chief Whip of the Edo State House of Assembly; Obiajulu Onwuzor Ebelechukwu, head of marketing and strategy of Zalon Healthcare Limited, and Dr Obi Peter Adigwe, Director General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development.
Professor Ezemonye told the inductees to go forth and impact their world by being the best they could be in the health care delivery system of the country and the world at large, disclosing that the university has graduated a total number of 1,203 pharmacist since inception.
The VC noted that the pharmacy discipline in the university remained a flagship programme which is highly sought after by applicants.
“Today, a total of 90 pharmacy graduates of the Dora Akunyili College of Pharmacy who have been found worthy in character and learning are being inducted.
“The graduates of this institution are blazing the trail in their various fields, our blue-sky graduates who are to be found in various parts of the world are excelling in their chosen professions, including pharmacy”, Ezemoye emphasized.
The Vice Chancellor hinted also that following the National Universities Commission’s (NUC’s) approval, the university has introduced the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D) programme to replace the (B. Pharm) programme of the institution.
While reeling out the successes of the University, Ezemoye said that in a bid to blend theory with practice, Igbinedion University recently built an automated line for the production of disinfectants, antiseptics and laboratory reagents.
“We have since commenced production to meet the immediate needs of the Igbinedion University Teaching Hospital and the parents’ consultative forum clinic in the university,” he added.
Inducting the pharmacy graduates into the Pharmacist Council of Nigeria (PCN), its Registrar, Babashehu Ahmed urged them to at all times be guided by their induction oath.
In his presentation, the guest speaker, Dr Obi Peter Adigwe, admonished the inductees to try as much as they could to define their career goals, embrace the principles of hardwork, discipline and delayed gratification to effectively make their marks in their chosen careers.
Dr Adigwe urged them to explore the numerous opportunities in the pharmacy world to be the best they could in the health profession.
