BRACE UP FOR LIFE’S CHALLENGES: PUT ON THE ENTERPRENURSHIP ARMOUR

-Pharm. Sir Chris Ukachukwu Tells Inductees.

The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra State recently held her 4th Induction/Oath Taking ceremony for the 2023/2024 graduands at the ETF Auditorium, Igbariam campus of the institution.

The great occasion holding at the period the University is marking her Silver Jubilee anniversary had a renowned industrial pharmacist of great repute, an accomplished entrepreneur, a core professional, Pharm Sir Chris Ukachukwu, FPSN, as the Keynote Speaker.

Deriving his speech from the induction cum oath taking theme, “21st Century Pharmacy Practice, Unlocking Diverse Career Prospects”, Pharm. Sir Ukachukwu posited that pharmacy has gone beyond drug dispensation through the window, that now, opportunities abound in many specialized areas, citing oncology, veterinary pharmacy, cardiology, clinical and consultancy entrepreneurship as potential examples.

Pharm. Ukachukwu further noted that there are opportunities also in community and hospital pharmacy, providing for pharcists to become pillars of the community serving as the first point of contact for healthcare needs, saying that what is paramount presently in Nigeria’s healthcare system is providing local solutions to everyday health challenges and needs and even as Nigeria pushes towards health security, pharmacists should be at the centre of ensuring that medications are safe, accessible and affordable.

In all of this however, Pharm. Chris Ukachukwu exposed the challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence, AI, a global trend and technological innovation presently threatening the labor market through the use of robots and high-tech initiatives in human workforce reduction.

Ukachukwu made bold to affirm that the most effective way to confront the AI and technology-driven challenges is to become job creator entrepreneurs rather than job seekers in an already over saturated labor market, referring to enterprenuship as the ability to handle men and materials to achieve a target goal.

The Keynote Speaker demanded from government at all levels, enabling environment as a major catalyst for all businesses to thrive.

The Registrar, Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed who was ably represented at the event, encouraged the inductees to explore the research domain of pharmacy profession as a positive way of contributing to a healthier society.

At the due time, the Dean Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prof Theophine Akunne presented to the Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof Azuka Kate Omenugha, the one hundred and eleven 2023/2024 graduands for formal induction/oath taking.

While Pharm. Obinna Christopher Emenaka, a former member of the Anambra State House of Assembly was the Chairman at the event, another accomplished pharmacist and community leader, His Royal Highness Igwe Pharm. Alexander Onyido, the traditional ruler of Ogidi Kingdom was the Royal Father of the Day.