The Vice-Chancellor, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, has admonished the newly qualified Pharmacy graduands of the University to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethics and collaborate with other stakeholders to improve Nigeria’s health sector. He also tasked the fresh graduates to remain committed to the principles of compassion and service that have guided their education to create a lasting impact on the lives of the people.
The Vice-Chancellor gave the admonition at the oath-taking and induction ceremony of the 25th graduating set of Pharmacy students of the University held on Thursday, 8th May, 2025 at the Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences (OACHS), Sagamu Campus. A total of 49 graduands were inducted into the Pharmacy profession by the Registrar, Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), Pharm. Ibrahim Ahmed.
In his opening remarks at the event, Prof. Agboola noted that pharmacists play a vital role in the healthcare system. He congratulated the inducted graduands on their milestone achievement and advised them to stay up-to-date with the latest developments and advancements in the field towards contributing meaningfully to move the country forward.
The Vice-Chancellor enjoined the new Pharmacists to be good ambassadors of their alma mater by discharging their obligations accordingly.
“Your time at Olabisi Onabanjo Universityhas been a period of intense learning, growth and development,” he declared. “You have been equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to excel in the pharmacy profession. As you move forward, I encourage you to remain committed to the principles of professionalism, compassion and service that have guided your education.”
Prof. Agboola applauded the Governor of Ogun State and Visitor to the University, Prince Dapo Abiodun CON, for his unwavering support for the holistic transformation of OOU since inceptionof his administration in the state. He equally thanked members of the Pharmacy Alumni Association for their contributions to the development of the Faculty of Pharmacy and the entire University.
Before administering the Oath on the Pharmacy graduands, the PCN Registrar noted that the inductees had toiled over the years with determination and resilience to attain their current status. He described pharmacy as a noble profession that provides new graduates with prospects of practising in different fields, including industries, communities, hospitals, administration, research, academia and other human endeavours.
The Registrar, who was represented by the South West Zonal Director of PCN, Pharm. Adenike Ogunlola, asked the inducted graduands to always maintain high ethical conduct and leadership standards set forth by the regulatory body, adding that they should always endeavour to serve as examples for the achievement of excellence in the provision of quality pharmaceutical services for sustainable healthcare delivery in the country.
He said, “In a world where change is 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.”
“I, therefore, admonish you all to continue to improve yourselves through lifelong learning. This would enhance your critical thinking skills, decision-making, social interaction, leadership skills and inter-personal relationships.” As frontline health workers, the PCN boss stated that pharmacists were expected to be at the frontline offering professional advice and interventions on drugs while also working with other healthcare professionals at all times, especially during public health emergencies.
“Every contribution you make in your various practice areas will definitely impact combating such emergencies. The need for Nigerian pharmacists to be involved in vaccine storage and administration cannot be over-emphasised. I, therefore, urge you all to seek and acquire the necessary certification that would position you to do so when the government approves such, as is applicable in the USA, where pharmacists are actually involved in vaccine storage and administration,” Ahmed told the inductees.
Delivering a keynote address entitled, “Beyond Dispensing to Discovering: A Prescription for Future,” the Guest Speaker, Prof. Michael Odeniyi, advised the fresh Pharmacists to make personal integrity, humility and kindness their touchstones in life and career. The Professor of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy at the University ofIbadan urged the inductees to choose their values carefully, adding that they should also carefully choose who to emulate.
As a way of improving the pharmacy profession, the don called for the re-establishment of the graduate assistant programme to retain the best students and prepare them for a career in teaching and research.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, Prof. Lateef Kasim, charged the inductees to maintain the pace at which they were trained and strive to be the best in the noble profession.
“We are rest assured that the training you acquired here will make you unique Pharmacists. I salute your perseverance, hard work and high level of commitment. Keep striving for the best, always updating yourself and always remember your Alma Mater,” he enjoined the inducted graduands.
The Dean expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor for repositioning the University and providing necessary tools and manpower for the training of the graduands.
