- September 19, 2025
- Posted by: itmanager
- Category: HEALTH, Innovation, International, research, Tertiary Education, University
The Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Emmanuel Babalola, OFR, CON, SAN, has charged the 95 newly inducted graduates of the institution’s College of Pharmacy to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and service in their careers.
At the landmark induction of ABUAD’s pioneer Doctor of Pharmacy graduates- the first from any private university in Nigeria- Aare Afe Babalola underscored integrity as the cornerstone of healthcare practice in the fight against fake and substandard drugs.
Speaking at the induction ceremony of the pioneer set of Doctor of Pharmacy- the first from any private university in Nigeria and held on September 19, 2025 at ABUAD’s Alfa Belgore Hall, Aare Afe Babalola stressed that integrity remains the bedrock of a successful career in healthcare, particularly in a nation grappling with the menace of substandard and fake drugs.
He urged the inductees to embrace honesty, transparency, and excellence, while remaining subject to the rules and regulations of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN).
“Be good ambassadors of your university, and continue to make use of the ABUAD anthem, AFEISM, as your guiding philosophy,” the revered legal sage added.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. E. Smaranda Olarinde,FCArb, FCAI, in her welcome address delivered by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Christopher Aina, urged the inductees to be compassionate and to combine knowledge, skills, discipline, and ethical conduct in the discharge of their duties.
“As you wade in, remember that pharmacy is not just about compounding medicines; it is about compounding hope. It is not simply about dispensing drugs; it is about dispensing trust and wellness,” she emphasized.
The Registrar of PCN, Ibrahim Ahmed, who administered the oath, admonished the graduates to make ethics the watchword of their professional practice.
Delivering the keynote lecture titled “Navigating the Tides of Change in a Strained Healthcare System – Pharmacists as Compass to Quality Care”, the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by Dr. Gbenga Fajemirokun, highlighted the pivotal role of pharmacists as frontline guides in a healthcare system increasingly stretched by population pressures, inadequate infrastructure, rising disease burdens and substandard drugs.
She emphasized that beyond dispensing medicines, pharmacists serve as educators, regulators, caregivers and custodians of ethical practice of the pharmacist profession.
“The pharmacist is a compass, providing needed guidance in the healthcare system. From ensuring the safety and efficacy of medicines to educating patients and supporting other healthcare professionals, pharmacists are indispensable in steering Nigeria toward better health outcomes,” Adeyeye noted.
Of the 95 inductees, 25 received special recognition for their outstanding performance in character and learning. Among them was Dr. Bethel Orowo Egbero, who emerged as the overall best graduating student in the College, winning several awards.
The event was graced by dignitaries from across the healthcare, education, and government sectors, as well as representatives of traditional institutions.