Bingham University had another 76 fresh graduands of Bachelor of Pharm Degrees inducted into the  Pharmacy profession by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria . The induction ceremony marked the 3rd in the series .

Administering the oath, the Registrar, Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), Pharm. Ibrahim B. Ahmed, represented by Dr. Anthony Sule Idoko charged the inductees to maintain high ethical standards and leadership qualities as prescribed by the Council. He urged them to be worthy professionals for the attainment of excellence in the provision of quality pharmaceutical services for sustainable health care delivery in Nigeria.  He enjoined the inductees to undergo, one-year statutory internship programme which is a requirement for all Pharmacists in Nigeria.

He informed them to get acquainted with the Code of Professional Ethics which prescribes their professional and moral responsibilities to the patients.

Pharm. Ahmed stated emphatically that Pharmacy is a noble profession that provides new graduates with prospects of practicing in different fields such as Industries, communities, hospitals, administration, research, academia and other human endeavours, such as information technology, journalism and Publishing and indeed governance.

He further highlighted that Council frowns at professional misconduct in its entirety, advising the inductees to refrain from any act of misconduct, “Kindly note that the PCN Act has provided for establishment of an Investigative Panel as well as Disciplinary Tribunal as mechanisms for handlining issues of professional misconduct” he said.

Speaking earlier, The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Haruna Kuje Ayuba who expressed delight, heartily congratulated the 76 Bachelor of Pharmacy graduates that have worked tirelessly to the point of been inducted.

He charged them to continue to work with the highest sense of professionalism and ethical standards.  “You must therefore go out there and provide high quality pharmaceutical services to Nigeria and the world at large. You must strive to ensure that every community is secured health wise.” He stated.

 He made a clarion call to investors to invest in local pharmaceutical manufacturing by supporting homegrown solutions, in order to reduce dependency on imported medications and create jobs in our communities. Public policies should encourage research and development within our pharmaceutical sector by tailoring products to meet the unique health needs of our population, he said.

The Keynote Speaker, Hon. (Pharm) Dugeri Thomas Terzungwe and member Benue State House of Assembly delivering his keynote address on the theme; “Public Policies and the Future of Medicine Security in Healthcare Delivery” advocated for public policy to address over dependence on pharmaceutical imports to meet local needs.  He stated that with a population of over 200 million Nigerians, the country is poised to pharmaceutical supply chain to global disruptions with 70% of medicines imported.

While commending the effort made by the NAFDAC and PCN on overseeing drug surveillance and regulation, stated that more effort needs to be made in relation to medicines security and supply chain transformation programme to a growing determination to self-reliance.

He condemned the illicit activities in the industry which continues to cause harm to human lives and called for policy makers, industry players and citizens to confront drugs related menace in order to guarantee medicine security in healthcare delivery in the country. 

Hon. Terzungwe proffered key policy approaches for securing the future of medicines in Nigeria to includes; scaling up local manufacturers through incentives, development of a robust supply chain, combatting the menace of counterfeit and substandard drugs, universal health coverage, research and innovations, public private partnership and capacity building amongst others.

Speaking earlier in his welcome remarks, Dean, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prof. John Alfa appreciated the management of the University for the role played in supporting the faculty. He also appreciated the National Universities Commission and Pharmacy Council of Nigeria for their continuous support of the programme.  He added that the faculty has grown over time with the increase in quota from 50 to 80 students.  He pointed out that the students of the faculty have increased the visibility of the University through their engagements with professionals across the country. 

Speaking on behalf of the inductees, the overall best graduating student, Pharmacist Yohanna Naomi stated that the event was more than a ceremony but rather a fulfilment of a dream. She intimated that aspirations gained during her pharmacy journey in Bingham University has exceeded her expectation.

“This institution did not just provide us with an education, it sharpened our mindsets, refined our abilities and instilled in us the values that will guide our journey beyond these walls.” She said.

She assured the audience of their commitment of stepping into the future to lead, innovate and contribute meaningfully to the world. “The lessons we have learned, the resilience we have built, and the character we have developed will be the foundation upon which we build our next achievement.”

The highpoint of the ceremony was the presentation of provisional licenses and certificates to the new pharmacists, donation of generator set to the faculty of pharmaceutical sciences by the graduands, and award of prizes to distinguished graduands. Pharmacist Yohanna Naomi who emerged the overall best went home with 9 out of 15 awards, including the award from Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN).