DELSU Inducts 76 Qualified Pharmacists

By Patrick Ijeh

The Vice Chancellor of Delta State University, Abraka, Prof Andy Ogochukwu Egwunyenga, has given the reassurance that the University will continue to ensure that none of her students will have to spend so much as an extra year in any of her academic programmes.

The Vice Chancellor made the declaration on Friday during the Oath-Taking/Induction ceremony of 76 fresh Pharmacy graduands at the Abraka Campus of the University, with the Delta State Honourable Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof Nyerhovwo Tonukari, in attendance.

The Vice Chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Prof Ochuko Anomohanran, said that the stable academic calendar in the University has enabled the university to contribute significantly to national development with the regular graduation of students from all her ninety fully accredited programmes.

Prof Egwunyenga revealed that the University started the Pharmacy programme eighteen years ago and that the current set of graduands for induction was the 13th in the annals of the University.

He thanked the Delta State Government for supporting the institution in many ways to enable her rise to the enviable height of being currently ranked 22nd among all universities in Nigeria, the 3rd Best State University in Nigeria, and the Best State University in the South-South and South-East Regions of the country.

In a welcome address, the Acting Dean of Pharmacy in the University, Dr John Avbunudiogba, congratulated the inductees and informed them that the Oath-Taking/Induction Ceremony qualifies them to be professional colleagues of their lecturers.

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He pointed out that the ceremony was in line with regulatory provisions under the supervision of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN).

Dr Avbunudiogba informed the distinguished audience that the current set of graduands underwent the five-year programme from 100 Level which culminated in the award of a Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm.) degree, but that the current set of 100 Level students were admitted into the newly-approved six-year programme that will earn them a Doctor of Pharmacy (D.Pharm) degree.

He thanked the University for continually improving the facilities for the training of Pharmacists which has resulted in the approval and commencement of postgraduate programmes in Pharmacy in the University.

In a keynote message to the newly inducted Pharmacy graduands titled: “What Next? A glimpse into Life After Graduation: Conventional and Off Label Perspectives in Pharmacy Practice”, Prof Matthew Ikhuoria Arhewoh, a Professor of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, challenged the inductees to have the advancement of the course of humanity as their ultimate goal.

Professor Arhewoh admonished the new Pharmacy professionals to choose appropriate mentors to guide them professionally and spiritually, be ready to continue learning, and strive to be accountable at all times.

He equally charged the inductees to work hard to always push themselves to do better than their last best accomplishments and to trust God for a successful career.

In his message shortly before administering the oath to induct the graduands, the Registrar of PCN, Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, represented by the Council’s South-South Director, Pharm. Azeez Maude, informed the gathering that the Oath-Taking/Induction Ceremony was a requirement for registration as a Pharmacist as stipulated by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2022.

The Registrar charged the inductees to maintain high ethical standards and leadership qualities as prescribed by the PCN so as to be worthy ambassadors of the profession and their university.

He challenged them to proceed immediately for the prescribed one-year internship, and to work hard to pass the compulsory Pre-registration Examination for Pharmacists (PEP) which qualifies them to practice in Nigeria.

The highpoint of the ceremony was the administration of oath to the inductees by the Registrar of PCN and the presentation of prizes and awards to outstanding students.

The Overall Best Graduating Student Award went to Pharm. Joshua Ilebe, who finished with a CGPA of 4.83 in spite of his initial inability to secure admission to study Pharmacy until his third attempt.

He clinched six other awards/prizes including the Joseph Eni’s Prize of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) for Academic Excellence which was presented by Mr. Joseph Eni, at the instance of his daughter, Pharm Ogheneruemu Eni, who graduated as a Pharmacist from Delta State University in 2016.