The Faculty of Pharmacy held its 2023/2024 Professional Induction Ceremony in grand style at Oduduwa Hall on Thursday, 13th November, celebrating the latest set of pharmacists and honouring exceptional students who distinguished themselves academically and in leadership.
The event was hosted by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simeon Bamire, who was fully represented by the Dean of Academics, Prof. G.A. Aderounmu, and was graced by prominent figures in the pharmaceutical industry and traditional institutions, featuring the induction of new pharmacists by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN).
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The ceremony also recognised 137 graduating students, 32 with distinction and 105 with a pass, who emerged as recipients of prestigious faculty and professional awards.
The keynote address was delivered by Prof. (Hon.) Siji Akanmu Olamiju, Group Managing Director of Akol Groups, while Pharm. Ibrahim Tanko Ayuba, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), and Pharm. Otunba Lekan Asuni, Global Chairman of the Great Ife Pharmacy Alumni Association (GIPAA), were among the other dignitaries in attendance.
The ceremony also featured royal fathers, including HRM Oba (Pharm.) Olatunde Falabi, the Akire of Ikireland; His Imperial Majesty Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, the Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland; and Oba (Dr.) Gbadegesin Elubode Adetogun, the Olu of Obagbile Ilare, Ife Kingdom.
Speaking at the event, the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharm. (Prof.) J.O. Soyinka congratulated the inductees, urging them to uphold the ethics of the profession and become ambassadors of excellence. He commended their resilience through years of rigorous training and called upon them to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The newly inducted pharmacists were reminded of the compulsory pharmacy internship, a mandatory post-graduation training programme designed to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical application, ensuring that new graduates acquire the necessary skills and competencies to practise as fully registered pharmacists.
Among the awardees, Soneye Saheed Oladeinde stood out, clinching both the PCN Award for Overall Best Performance in the Final B.Pharm Degree Examination and the Board of Fellows (PSN) Award for Best Graduating Student with a Cumulative Grade Index of 4.8.
Meanwhile, Bakenne Habib Ademola also distinguished himself by winning the Dean’s Faculty Prize for the Best Dissertation and the NAPA Award for Outstanding Graduating Students, which is given based on the election of the class members for leadership; he graduated with a Cumulative Grade Index of 4.72.
The MEDPLUS Pharmacy Ltd. Award for Academic and Leadership Excellence went to Adebayo Matthew Oluwasegun and Ajadi Bolanle Racheal, while Salami Rukayat Oyinkansola received the Association of Lady Pharmacists (ALPs) Award for Best Female Graduating Student.
Akinrinsola Temitayo Bernice bagged the National Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP) Award for the Best Graduating Student in Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, and Folorunso Ifeoluwa Mary received the Prof. K.P. Osemene Prize for Best Graduating Student in Drug Information and Communication.
In his response on behalf of the newly inducted pharmacists, Pharm. Adebayo Matthew Oluwasegun expressed gratitude to the faculty, parents, and mentors, promising that the new inductees would live up to the standards of the profession.
The ceremony concluded with the admission of fresh alumni into GIPAA, a vote of thanks, and renditions of the Great Ife Anthem and the National Anthem.