Posted on: Wed 02-12-2015

December 1st, 1960, a young boy was born into the Yakasai community of Yakasai, Kano, Nigeria. Family and friends were happy, neighbours and well-wishers were filled with joy because of the new life, but little did they know that an icon had just been given birth to from their community.

A gold fish needs no introduction. Pharm. Ahmed Ibrahim Yakasai is a man of the people. He is a distinguished pharmacist with 32 years’ experience in hospital, community, industrial, academic, administrative and regulatory affairs. An Alumnus of the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (1983), Fudan University, China (2007), University of South Africa (2010) and the University of Salford, Manchester, United Kingdom (2014-2015)

The current President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria is the founder of Multiplus Consulting, Pharmaplus Nigeria Limited, Multiplus Resources Limited, Nigeria Pakistan Investment Forum and Ahmed Yakasai Community Service Award. A seasoned administrator who served as the Honourable Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Co-operatives and Tourism, Kano State (2005-2010) where he won the most outstanding commissioner-AIT Television 2008 Award due to his diligence and enthusiasm to get results and make a difference in the lives of Kano people. He was later appointed Honourable Commissioner of Land and Physical Planning, Kano State (2010-2011).

Before Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai was keenly involved in public service to his state and nation, he first started his selfless service as a blessing to his profession where he served Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria meritoriously in various positions, some of them are the 1st Deputy President, PSN (1997-2000), Ex-Officio, Board of Fellows, PSN (2000), Chairman, Conference Planning Committee (NAGPP, National) Abuja ’98 (1998), Chairman PSN, Kano/Jigawa (1991-1995), Chairman Nigerian Association of General Practice Pharmacists, Kano/Jigawa chapter (1989-1991) amongst others.

The Honorary Consul- General of Pakistan in Nigeria is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered) (FNIM) (2015), Fellow of the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (FNAPharm) (2014), Fellow of the Institute of Commerce (Chartered) (FICC)- (2009), Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (FPSN) (2000), Fellow of Institute of Logistics Management and Fellow of the International Visitor Program (A program for potential Global Leaders organized by the United States Information Service (USIS) as a guest of the American Government-1997). He is the author of Pharmacists and Society and Pharmaceutical Directory, Kano/Jigawa. He was a part-time lecturer, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria under the Pharmacists' Council of Nigeria’s Mandatory Continue Education. As an independent consultant, he registered so many pharmaceutical, veterinary, medical devices and food products with NAFDAC, he conducted so many researches on PATH 2 (AXIOS) and Howard-GHAIN project and played a major role in improved operation of NAFDAC in general, and in the North-West in particular as NAFDAC Consultant.

The Enyi Dioronma of Umuzike 1 Orlu, Imo state is a philanthropist who has supported many worthwhile causes in the profession of pharmacy and in Nigeria as a nation. He is the Patron Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria Students, National and ABU and Jos Chapters (1995 to Date).Trustee of Society for Family Health, Young Pharmacists Group and Yakasai Zumunta Development Association just to mention a few. He is a man with a big heart, who values the senior citizens and believes in the younger generation. He is a father, a teacher, a mentor, a coach, a good example and an inspiration to a myriad of young Nigerians both within the country and outside our shores. His refined character is what adhered the crème de la crème of our nation to him; his passion for knowledge and wisdom is what attracted the young ones to learn from his wisdom brook, his simplicity and sense of humour are what made everyone to identify with him. Additionally, his fashion sense is what made him a magnet to others. Indeed, His Excellency, Ahmed Ibrahim Yakasai is one of the great citizens of our dear country.

Today, I wish my boss and mentor happy earth strong. May Almighty grant you unparalleled long life in good health, all the good things of this world and all the good things of the hereafter, save you from the hell fire and grant you paradise. The life of Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai can be summed up in the wise words of American author Phillip Brook, “A man who lives right and is right has more power in his silence that another has by his words.”

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIR!

I SALUTE YOU.

Pharm. Sesan Kareem writes from Lagos, Nigeria. He is the PA to Pharm Ahmed Yakasai, the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria. +2347065335797, 32 Faramobi Ajike Street, Anthony village, Lagos

---

---