In order to reward individuals who have made an enduring and transformative contributions to the Pharmacy profession and national development, the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAPharm) gave Life Time Achievement award to the founder and Chairman of Bond Chemical Industries Limited, Theophilus Adebowale Omotosho.
The award given ceremony which took place at the 11th anniversary and Investiture Ceremony of New Fellows of the Academy in Lagos, also witnessed recognition of former Chief Executive Officer of Fidson Healthcare Plc; Fidelis Ayebae, and the first Director General of NAFDAC, Gabriel Osuide, by the NAPharm.
Presenting the plaques, the NAPharm president, Lere Baale, described the Lifetime Achievement Award as a symbol of the highest honour accorded by the Academy to individuals who have made persistent and transformative influences to the Pharmacy profession and national advancement.
According to Baale who is a professor, the Academy holds the Lifetime Achievement Award in the highest esteem and added that it reflects exceptional service to humanity.
“Debo Omotosho and other awardees have displayed uncommon commitment, innovation, and integrity that continue to inspire younger generations of pharmacists,’’ he said.
Receiving the award, Omotosho, who spoke on behalf of the honourees, expressed deep gratitude to the Academy for the recognition.
“To be remembered at this stage of one’s life by your professional colleagues is a thing of joy and something that money cannot buy.
“This recognition is not only an honour but a call to greater service. We went to the rural areas not because of profit but to make quality and affordable medicines accessible to our people. That was our contribution to pharmacy and humanity,’’ Omotosho added.
He urged young pharmacists to uphold professionalism above profit, stressing that integrity and service are the pillars of true success.
“Pharmacy is not just about selling medicines; it is about saving lives. When you do the right thing, profit will come naturally,” he added.
On his part, president Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Tanko Ayuba, lauded the Academy for honouring deserving professionals who according to him have served selflessly.
Ayuba went further to state that the recognition would inspire others in the field. On the other hand, he cautioned Nigerians to be wary of AI-generated fake videos circulating online and falsely attributed to public figures.
In addition, he said: “There are deep fake videos on social media portraying people as speaking against pharmacists. Nigerians should disregard such materials; they are not real. These fake videos are misleading the public and damaging reputations. We must all be vigilant.”
Also speaking at the event, Aderemi Omotosho stressed the need for drug manufacturing companies in the country to ensure there is drug security so that the masses will have access to drugs.
Omotosho also called on pharmacists in the country to embrace new technology which according to him would make them remain relevant in the profession.
The Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAPharm) is a specialised professional body dedicated to advancing pharmaceutical science, practice, and education, and fostering collaboration between pharmacy and other fields of learning.
