Posted on: Thu 23-06-2022

For Nigeria to develop sustainably, the government must mamixise experiences of fellows of professional associations, Chairman, Board of Fellows (BOF), Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Dr. Joel Babakandzhi, has advised.

Addressing journalists at the forthcoming Mid-Year Meeting (MYM) of the association in Lagos, he said the counsel could not have come at a better time considering the resourcefulness of the fellows to society’s betterment.

His words: “We are the highest group of pharmacists in the country. Pharmacists play an important role in the nation’s pharmaceutical industry and in its healthcare system. We want to work with the government and see that the expertise of fellows in engineering, legal, accounting and other professions is harnessed to change the narrative.”

This nation is in dire need of a turnaround. For instance, our engineers should be involved in the construction of roads and bridges. Nigerian pharmacists should be involved in vaccine and drug production”

Besides, he said PSN fellows would champion Nigeria’s rescue and its development, as their involvement would impact positively on the quest to achieve medicine and vaccine security.

Babakandzhi expressed concern that the pharmaceutical industry, which used to provide a lifeline for pharmacists, including fellows, “is equally fighting for survival due to the unfavourable economic climate in the country and, to some extent, around the world.

On the meeting, he said the theme of this year’s event is: “Harnessing the Potentials of Fellows of Professional Associations in Nigeria for National Development: The Pharmacists Perspective.”

He said the programme would hold in Abuja on June 28 and 29, adding that the guest speaker is Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN).

The BOF chair added that an endowment fund project, worth N100 million and aimed at promoting excellence in Pharmacy Education and Research would be raised.

He noted that beneficiaries include the best graduating pharmacy students and those engaged in pharmaceutical research and development.

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