The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has inducted 68 set of Bingham University's pharmacists on the occasion of Induction and Oath taking ceremony which took place at the main campus of the University in Karu.

In his remarks,Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Haruna Kuje Ayuba expressed his appreciation to the Faculty for their commitment and dedication to duty, diligence in teaching, research and community service which he said has shaped the minds and characters of the inductees and has resulted to then Induction of 68 Pharmacists.He congratulated the inductees for achieving the feat.

He appreciated the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria for their regulatory activity in ensuring that standards are adhered to in the production of pharmacists and practice.  He assures the Registrar of PCN that quality assurance thresholds will be maintained in the pharmacy programmeof the University.

He reminded the participants that Bingham University is in a league of universities in Nigeria that is uniquely positioned in the training of pharmacists. He pointed out that pharmacists ratio to the population in Nigeria was inadequate as is estimated in the ratio of 1 pharmacist to 13,385 Nigerians. He further stated that he was delighted that Bingham University is making effort to fill in the  manpower gap by improving the ratio of pharmacists to the population in Nigeria.   

  He charged the inductees to imbibe the highest sense of professionalism and ethical standards as they go out into public space to practice by providing high quality pharmaceutical services to Nigeria and the world at large. He reminded them to adhere strictly to the codes and ethics of the profession always and stated that, much has been committed into their hands and much is expected from them.

Earlier in his welcoming address, Dean, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Assoc. Prof. John Alfa stated that the pharmacy programmes has continued to experience increased  number of admission seekers . He stated that few months ago 46 students graduated and are now pharmacists in the practicing space.  He stated that the 2nd set to be inducted have been well trained and ready to join practitioners of the pharmacy profession. He congratulated them for achieving the mile stone in the journey of a lifelong learning discipline.

He appreciated the Esu Karu who is also the Chancellor of the university, Pharm. Luka Panya Baba for the demonstration of passion and love for the pharmacy practice. He appreciated the Vice-Chancellor for participating in the induction ceremony despite his tight schedule. He thanked the Registrar, Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed for always identifying with the University.

In a key note address, Chamberlain Unuoha, a health development expert, who delivered a paper titled, "The Role of Primary Health Care and Medicine Security in Universal Healthcare Coverage” shared his thoughts and pointed out that the delivery of health is pursued through the health system and that the National Strategic Health Development Plan (NSHDP) is the overarching medium-term plan for Nigeria’s health system. He further stated that in providing Universal Health Coverage, foundation laying was a way to move towards.  He pointed out that the World Health Organization recommendation in reorienting health systems using a primary health care approach, delivering of quality services and products that people need for health and well-being, thereby improving coverage and financial protection was the way to.

The key note speaker noted that medicine security was and is the assurance that individuals and communities have access to safe, effective, quality and affordable medicines, he gave the features of medicine security to include: availability, accessibility, affordability and rational use of medicines. He stated that this was key and important to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).    

The high point of the ceremony was the induction by the  Registrar, PCN, Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed who  stated that the rules and regulations guiding the practice of the profession must be adhered to strictly in order to avoid penalties and sanctions, he warned.

He stated that the pharmacy profession was and is saddled with responsibility of providing good and quality drugs to improve human health.

Delivering her valedictory speech on behalf of the graduating students, Pharm. Kanu Ezinne Favour, the best graduating student, who receives several awards to her credit, expressed her profound appreciation to the Faculty staff members, Professors, Lecturers and the university management for the training they have received during the course of their study.  She stated that her selection as the best graduating students of the 2nd set of pharmacy graduands in the university was the success to all, as it would not have been possible without the collective effort.

Certificates and awards were presented to new Pharmacists who performed excellently and earned cumulative CGPA of 4 points and above and also others who distinguished themselves during the course of study of study.