Posted on: Fri 04-03-2016

On Wednesday, March 2, 2016, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Pharm. Ahmed I. Yakasai, FPSN in the midst of members of National Executive Council signed a Memorandum Of Understanding with Howard University Pace Centre team led by the Country Director Dr. Dorothy Oqua in a colorful occasion at the conference hall of the pharmacy house, 32 Faramobi Ajike Street, Anthony, Lagos State, Nigeria.

In his opening remarks, His Excellency, Pharm. Ahmed I. Yakasai, the President of PSN took us back to memory lane of his over two decades relationship with Howard University Pace Centre in Nigeria as their consultant. He informed the house how he worked closely with HUPACE to educate and train Nigerians, Africans and the citizens of the world about HIV/AIDS in the late 90s as he travelled to Ghana, Burkina Faso and United States as HUPACE ambassador of saving lives. He strongly reiterated his sheer commitment to public health in the interest of the general public. In his gentle voice full of powerful words, he assured the audience that PSN under his administration must show the good people of Nigeria that we care and pharmacists are not just drug oriented but patient-centric.

He appreciates USAID for funding the project through FHI 360 and executed by Howard University.

The President highlighted on how he will utilise all the Technical Groups and Association of Lady Pharmacists.
1. Community Pharmacists- Testing, counselling, Care Support Services and distribution of Antiretroviral drugs.

2. Academic Pharmacists. To act as facilitators for training and curriculum development.

3. Hospital Pharmacists- To act as preceptors/treatment supervisors and indeed to provide services on prevention on mother to child transmission.

4. Industrial Pharmacists - To partner by way of donating drugs for outreach programmes.

5. Lady Pharmacists- To organise outreach programmes for Adolescents in and out of schools to catch them young.

This is to show that Pharmacists care and that it is a profession with human face and believes in serving humanity.

The Deputy Project Director, HUPACE in Nigeria, Pharm. Seun Asieba gave a powerful, concise and inspiring presentation on the MOU and how the center has positively impacted the lives of Nigerians and save souls through their various interventions in HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis for over a score of years.

The climax of the occasion was the signing of the MOU between the PSN President and the Country Director HUPACE. History was made and a new partnership in the interest of the general public was cemented. Indeed, the sky is the starting point for Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria under the leadership of His Excellency, Pharm. Ahmed I. Yakasai.

Pharm. Jerome Nwokoro from HUPACE informed the house that in 1998 when he was inducted into the profession at Ahmadu Bello University, Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai represented the PCN Registrar and gave them a life-impacting advice to always know where their financial interest stops, and where their professional interest begins as a pharmacist. This he said has been his philosophical guiding system in his practice as a pharmacist. Emotionally, he opined, “To be sitting in this meeting with Pharm. Yakasai is an honour and a dream come true.”

The National Secretary of PSN, Pharm. Gbolagade Iyiola, MAW gave the vote of thanks.
Other NEC members present at this august occasion are the National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Arinola Joda, The National Treasurer, Pharm. Emeka Duru and the Editor in Chief, Dr. Aina B.
Pharm. Ruqayat Shita gave the second stanza of the Nigerian National Anthem as the closing prayer.
Pharm. Sesan A. Kareem
PA to the President, PSN
Reporting!

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