Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye will, in the next couple of weeks, take delivery of new laboratory equipment to enhance teaching, learning and research in all its laboratory-based programmes, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ganiyu Olatunji Olatunde, has disclosed. He also said the Pharmacy programme, specifically, will benefit from the set of equipment underway.
The Vice-Chancellor made the disclosure at the induction ceremony of the 22nd graduating set of Pharmacy students of the University held on Tuesday 22nd March, 2022 at the Royal Event Centre, Akarigbo Palace, Sagamu. A total of 66 graduands were inducted into the Pharmacy profession by the Registrar, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), Pharmacist Elijah Mohammed.
In his speech on the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Deji Agboola, expressed the commitment of the University Management to creating the enabling environment for the institution to achieve its tripartite functions of teaching, research and community development. He said adequate facilities are being provided for the smooth running of the academic programmes of the University.
He said, ”We, in the University, shall continue to scale up the enabling environment for the accomplishment of the tripartite functions of the University; teaching, research and community development. Evidences abound of the giant strides of the current administration in the transformation of the University into a true 21st century citadel of learning through adequate provision of teaching and learning facilities, for the smooth-running of our academic programme.’’
at the induction of Pharmacy graduands in Sagamu.
‘’We are not resting on our oars; as we speak, new furniture are being distributed across our campuses for the lecture theatres/halls, seminar rooms and offices; and in a couple of weeks, we shall be taking delivery of laboratory equipment to upgrade the existing ones for teaching, learning and research in all our laboratory-based programmes, pharmacy inclusive.’’ Prof. Olatunde declared that the Management would continue on the noble trajectory to ensure that the University meets and keeps pace with the global trend in all its academic programmes.
The Vice-Chancellor expressed the appreciation of the University Management for the unflinching support being enjoyed from the state government, under the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun, and solicited more support in furthering the desired traansformation of OOU. He also commended members of the Pharmacy Alumni Association for their contributions to the development of the Faculty of Pharmacy and the University at large.
While congratulating the inductees on their new attainments, Prof. Olatunde enjoined them to be good ambassadors of their alma mater and also endeavour to break new frontiers in their profession. He added that as they go into the world, they should always bring to bear the educational and moral standards instilled in them by their parents and teachers.
He further said, ”It is my hope that like your predecessors who have continued to make the University proud, each of you will make it a point of duty to maintain the honour of this great institution by making formidable impacts in the society, through this noble profession. I, therefore, enjoin you to be good ambassadors of this great University and keep the flag flying.
”I must inform you that today’s event is not the end of learning or studying process; whatever path you choose to take hereafter, as long as you practice Pharmacy, it is a lifelong path of dedication to the wellbeing of your patients, for which you must continue to study, learn and break new frontiers in your profession.’‘
Earlier in his welcome address, the Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, Prof. Lateef Kasim, revealed that no fewer than 1,388 graduands of the University had so far been inducted by the PCN. He added that from the present set of inductees emerged the best graduating student of the University in the just concluded 2020/2021 academic session.
The Dean explained that the latest inductees had come a long way in the training process to earn Pharmacy professional certificates, adding that necessary steps were being taken by OOU authorities to commence Pharm. D programme in the 2023/2024 academic session.
”In the past five years or more, there has been a general move from the present programme B. Pharm to Pharm. D programme in Nigeria. With this new programme, any successful graduate would be addressed as a Doctor of Pharmacy. The new programme has been introduced to the management of this great institution and necessary steps are being taken to ensure smooth commencement of Pharm. D programme in the 2023/2024 session,” he said.
The PCN Governing Council Chairman, Prof. Ahmed Mora, who was Guest Speaker at the event, underscored the special status of pharmacists as healthcare practitioners of repute, through their expertise in the art and science of formulation of pharmaceutical products.
Presenting his lecture entitled, “The Indispensability of Pharmacists in the Manufacturing of Pharmaceutical Products as Inventories in Public and Private Healthcare Facilities in Nigeria,” Prof. Mora affirmed that the mission of Pharmacy practice, in its simplest form, is to help people make the best use of medications.
According to him, the responsibility of the Pharmacists is essential whether in the Primary Health Centres, General Hospitals or Teaching Hospitals, Federal Medical Centres and Specialist Hospitals.
The Guest Speaker pointed out that both patient-centred and product-centred responsibilities of the Pharmacist are interwoven on a continuous basis. He, however, noted that though the skills, expertise and competences of pharmacists in Nigeria had soared to appreciable levels over the years, it is important for them to continue to uphold professional ethics.
“The Pharmacists in Nigeria must continue to tenaciously hold on to the ethics and practical demonstration of extremely important extemporaneous drug preparation and medical devices by Pharmacists. The public sector as well as the private sector all have a duty to protect the integrity of the manufacturing process of pharmaceutical products,” he submittted.
Before administering the oath on the graduands, the PCN Registrar, who was represented by Pharmacist Yejide Oseni, told them that there are no limitations to where each of them can get to in life.
He said the fresh pharmacists are expected to get themselves acquainted with the code of professional ethics which prescribes professional and moral responsibilities to the patients, pharmacist colleagues, other health professionals, employers and the general public, among others. The Registrar said, “In the world where change is about the only constant phenomenon, the PCN is aware of the challenges posed to Pharmacists by the dynamics of practice, technological advancements, increasing disease burdens, adverse drug reactions, drug interactions, drug resistance, among others.
“Pursuant to the foregoing, the PCN has institutionalised the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme to ensure continued relevance of Pharmacists in the scheme of events in the health sector and governance in general. It is worthy to note that Pharmacists competency is not only about knowledge and skills, competency should include critical thinking and decision making, innovation, social interaction, development leadership skills and inter-professional relationships.”
Both the Ogun State Commissioner for. Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, and his counterpart in the Ministry of Health, Dr Tomi Coker, who was represented by Pharm. Kayode Sotunde, delivered goodwill messages at the ceremony.
