Tag: pharmacist

The Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has held its 30th induction. Hiqmat Abdulahi Odunayo emerged valedictorian among 137 other graduands. MIFTAUDEEN RAJI (100-Level Mass Communication) reports.

It is not a mean feast to graduate with a First Class. With a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.80, Hiqmat Abdulahi Odunayo emerged top of her class at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Lagos (UNILAG). The feat brought glad tidings and rekindled memories of her challenging times in school.

Hiqmat beat seven of her colleagues, who finished with distinction, to emerge overall best graduating student. The success story of Hiqmat’s six years academic sojourn, which saw her bagging the B.Pharm degree, started in December, 2009.

Last Thursday, she, with 137 others, was inducted a pharmacist by the officials of the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN). She won the Pfizer Science Prize and other academic prizes for her feat.

The 30th induction was held in the institution’s main auditorium; it attracted dignitaries from all walks of life. It was remarkable, because of the eight graduands with distinction, seven were women.

On what motivated her, Hiqmat said she was moulded by her environment and peers. “I cannot say that I am more intelligent than my colleagues. I could not have achieved this without them. It was all of them, who were my competitors and also my backbone. In that way, we are all valedictorians to have graduated from the faculty.

She added: “This achievement would not have been possible without the help of Allah, and the support of my family and friends. I congratulate my fellow graduating students, and also remind them that our journey has just begun in discovering who we really are. I encourage everyone all to protect the lofty image of this institution as we go into the world to practise the discipline we have been studying.”

Addressing graduands, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Rahamon Bello, advised the inductees study further, noting that the induction signified another journey and not the end in their profession.

He assured that the university would continue to nurture students to attain excellence, adding: “This is a special profession in the society and we see it as our responsibility to produce competent manpower to uphold its values and ethics of practice.”

Prof Bello, represented by his deputy for Academics and Research, Prof Babajide Alo, said the inductees had obligation to be good ambassador of the school when they start to practise. He added: “You will have some responsibilities to play in your profession. Whichever area you may specialise, you must realise that your potentials are limitless.”

The Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, Prof Olukemi Odukoya, noted that the vision of pharmacy discipline offerered leadership development, rather than career continuity.

She said: “A huge responsibility would be entrusted to you, but the ones ahead are even greater. This is by far most exciting and challenging time for the profession. You will be faced with many obstacles, but from these obstacles come opportunities to write your name in gold. You must ensure that patients receive quality pharmaceutical care, using your clinical skills.”

The chairman of the occasion, Mr Ike Onyechi, a pharmacist, urged the graduands to be committed to ethics and determined to make good impact on the lives of the people. He said: “As you are leaving, I want you to be determined. The environment is not easy. The more it becomes tougher, the higher you can go.”

Colourful activities marked the occasion. The highpoint was the oath-taking conducted by Mr N.A. Muhammad and presentation of prizes and certificates to the inductees.

The ceremony was attended by members of the university Senate and other officials of management. There were PCN officials led by the president, Mr Olumide Akintayo, Dr Adepoju Bello.

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) held its 44th Convocation last weekend. Miss Nkiruka Ibeanu of the Faculty of Pharmarcy emerged the best graduating student. INYA-AGHA EGWU and CHOICE EWERE report.

Miss Nkiruka Ozioma Ibeanu of the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) was the cynosure of all eyes at the institution’s 44th Convocation last weekend. She bagged all academic awards and honour at the ceremony. She had over 10 distinctions.

Nkiruka graduated with a First Class, beating 84 others to become the overall best graduating student. Over 14,015 students got their first and post-graduate degrees at the ceremony.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Benjamin Ozumba, said Nkiruka’s achievement showed the extent women could go if they got education. With the feat, the VC said Nkiruka has made herself a pride for women.

In his address, the Pro-chancellor and chairman of Governing Council, Mr Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, reminded the graduates their certificates indicated that they had been found worthy in character and learning.

He advised the graduates to be conscious of their conduct, urging them to be good ambassadors of their alma mater. He advised them to use their knowledge to conquer the world.

Ukala praised the university administration led by Prof Ozumba for what he called “spirit of excellence” and for initiating innovative ideas designed to take the institution to higher level. He Praised the effort of the University of Nigeria Alumni (UNA) for its support and effort to improve facilities and standard of learning in the school.

He praised the UNN Chancellor and Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, for his fatherly role to the university.

In his goodwill message read by the Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, President Goodluck Jonathan urged tertiary institutions to harness their potential to improve their Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR). The move, Jonathan said, would complement government’s effort in improving infrastructure in higher institutions.

The President said his administration had injected billions of naira into education through intervention by educational bodies, such as Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). He said government alone could not provide all the funds needed to solve challenges facing higher institution.

He said: “The universities themselves must make concrete efforts to complement government’s funding by generating their own resources. It is expected that universities should ensure that funds accruing to them are prudently managed.”

The President expressed satisfaction with the administration of Prof Ozumba, saying the VC had brought prudent management of resources and vigorous pursuit of ideas to bear in maintaining the values and excellence for which the institution is known.

The university honoured some distinguished personalities with honorary doctoral degrees, among whom was Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu. Other honorary awardees included Dr Musa Babayo and Dr Valerie-Janet Ogonna Azinge.

Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Sen. Ekweremadu thanked the management for finding them worthy of the awards.

He said: “I have had several of similar awards in the past, but I cherish this particular award because it is coming from the first indigenous university in the country.”

He promised that he would partner with the university management to upgrade infrastructure in the institution.

Ekweremadu challenged universities to conduct studies on the challenges facing the country and proffer solutions on how the problems could be solved. He called for concerted efforts by Nigerians to work together and make the country overcome its myriads of challenges.

Prof Ozumba said the graduates worked hard to deserve the degree of the institution. A total of 14,015 graduates were awarded first degrees, among whom 3,717 graduated with Second Class (Upper Division), 7,275 Second Class (Lower Division), 2,294 Third Class and 227 Pass.

Distribution of the First Class among faculties showed that Education produced 45 First Class graduates, Engineering 14, Agriculture, five; Social Science, five; Biological Sciences, four; Arts, three, Health Sciences and Technology, three: Physical Sciences, two: Environmental, two; Law, one and Business Administration, one.

Also, two professors, P.N. Okeke and Paul Akubue, received the titles of professor emeritus for their contributions to scholarship and development of the university.

Nkiruka, who spoke on behalf of the best graduating students, urged their junior colleagues to always strive to excel and pursue their studies with dedication. She urged her colleagues to identify with the alumni association to give back to their alma mater.