Afe Babalola Urges Pharmacy Graduates to Maintain Integrity, ,
Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti
The founder of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola SAN, has admonished the 95 pharmacy graduates of the institution to maintain integrity academically and ethically, to enable them to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development anywhere they find themselves.
Specifically, he urged the inductees not to let go of the virtues inculcated in them by the institution, saying the these would help them to excel in their chosen careers.
The founder made the remarks during the maiden pharmacy induction conducted by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) in Ado Ekiti, where 25 of the students graduated with distinction.
While encouraging the graduates to utilize the knowledge and skills they acquired at the university to make a significant impact in the health sector, Babalola noted that the future and progress of the country will largely depend on the quality of graduates produced by higher education institutions.
He reiterated that ABUAD aims to continue producing graduates who will excel in their chosen careers.
“We thank God that we remain the only university where all students live on campus and where we teach at night. Consequently, we have distinguished ourselves in inculcating the requisite learning and character in our students. Please do not depart from the teachings you learnt here, doing that the future is yours,” Babalola said.
The Vice-Chancellor of ABUAD, Prof Smaranda Olarinde, described the success and achievements of the university especially with the maiden graduates of pharmacy as a shining testament to the dynamic vision and unwavering commitment of the founder.
She advised the graduates to be dedicated and disciplined with high ethical standards in the course of discharging their duties, urging them to succeed and break new grounds in the profession.
“The world you are entering demands professionalism anchored on international best practices. In this age of transnational epidemics, counterfeit medications, and rapid pharmaceutical innovation, the pharmacist cannot afford parochial knowledge or ethical lapses.
“Uphold the values of diligence, accuracy, and empathy. Remain students of life: learning, relearning, and innovating,” Olarinde said.
Delivering the induction lecture, the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, congratulated the graduates and the university, saying that the roles of pharmacists in achieving quality healthcare services cannot be overemphasised.
“By leveraging their expertise in medication therapy, providing essential health education, and serving as a readily available health resource, pharmacists act as a vital compass, guiding patients and the healthcare system toward better outcomes, especially when resources are strained and access is limited,” said Adeyeye.
Represented by Dr. Gbenga Fajemirokun, the NAFDAC boss advocated policy change, flexible staff and use of technology as ways to mitigating the challenges confronting the future of sustainable healthcare.
While regretting the impacts of substandard and fake drugs on the nation’s healthcare system, she promised that through the instrumentation of post marketing surveillance and the track and trace technology, the agency continues to ensure that consumers have access to safe and effective medicines.
She added, “The path to a sustainable healthcare future is laden with challenges, including technological disruption, regulatory changes, and evolving patient needs. Effective strategies to mitigate healthcare system strain require a holistic approach that addresses demographic shifts, disease burden, operational inefficiencies, and potential external shocks.
“Key strategies include embracing digital health tools, fostering flexible and adaptable staff, and advocating for policy changes to address resource limitations and increasing demands. There’s a need to use technology to extend care beyond hospital walls, reaching more patients and managing chronic conditions remotely, as well as leveraging data to identify bottlenecks, predict demand and optimize resource allocation for better efficiency.
“There’s also a need to implement strategies to reduce wait times and improve patient flow, such as triage systems and digital appointment booking. We should invest in preventative measures and public health initiatives to reduce the overall burden on the system and promote healthier communities.”
During the oath taking ceremony, the Registrar of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), Ibrahim Ahmed charged the newly inducted students to be good ambassadors of ABUAD and to take the profession seriously for the benefits of humanity.
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, Education Archives – THISDAYLIVE, September 24, 2025, 12:00 am
