On January 14th, 2025, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria – Young Pharmacists Group (PSN-YPG) conducted a courtesy and familiarization visit to the PSN President, Pharmacist Ibrahim Tanko Ayuba. The meeting, held from 11:25 AM to 1:00 PM, brought together key leaders and members of the PSN-YPG at the national and state levels.
Attendees
- Pharm. Tekena George (PSN-YPG National Chairman)
- Pharm. Ajibade Oluwabukunmi (past National Vice Chairman)
- Pharm. Nwabunwanne (Former Treasurer, PSN-YPG Lagos)
- Pharm. Festus Chisom
- Pharm. Ureh Dibani (Financial Secretary, PSN-YPG Lagos)
- Pharm. Egemonye Christopher (General Secretary, PSN-YPG Lagos, representing the Lagos State Coordinator)
- Pharm. Isah Mohammed (Past National Chairman, PSN-YPG)
- Pharm. Martin Nwofia (National Financial Secretary, PSN-YPG)
Opening Remarks
The PSN-YPG National Chairman, Pharm. Tekena George, began by congratulating Pharm. Ibrahim Tanko Ayuba on his election as the PSN President. He also highlighted the group’s recent activities at the national level, including:
- Townhall Meetings to engage with stakeholders.
- Partnerships with prominent organizations such as Globacom, Pharmanews, and Medplus.
- Collaborative initiatives aimed at identifying and building relationships with industry leaders.
Issues Presented
Pharm. Tekena outlined several concerns affecting young pharmacists and sought the support of the PSN President to address them:
- Internship Placement
- He advocated for the implementation of a central internship placement scheme for young pharmacists, similar to those used in other professions.
- He also suggested the inclusion of research institutes, such as the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRID), as internship options.
- Expansion of PEP Exam Centers
- Highlighting the limited number of accredited centers for Pre-Registration Examination for Pharmacists (PEP), he called for the establishment of more centers, especially in the South-South and South-East regions.
- Currently, Enugu is the only center in the South-East, while Rivers State is the sole center in the South-South.
- Inclusion of Young Pharmacists in PSN National Committees
- He emphasized the importance of giving young pharmacists opportunities to contribute by including them in PSN’s national committees.
- Support for International Engagements
- He appealed for PSN National’s assistance in helping young pharmacists attend international professional events, such as the FIP (International Pharmaceutical Federation) conferences.
Pharm. Tekena concluded by assuring the PSN president of his commitment to accountability during his tenure and shared the group’s decision to increase national dues for young pharmacists from ₦2,000 to ₦5,000.
Response from the PSN President
Pharm. Ibrahim Tanko Ayuba commended the PSN-YPG for its proactive initiatives and addressed the issues raised:
- Inclusion of Young Pharmacists
- He pledged to involve young pharmacists in all committees formed during his tenure.
- Creative Program Funding
- He challenged young pharmacists to develop innovative strategies for securing program funding, citing the availability of sponsorships as provided by several organisations.
- Professional Development
- He urged young pharmacists to prioritize leadership and professional development opportunities, such as those offered by LEAD International, which can open doors for career advancement.
- Internship Placement
- He confirmed that centralized internship placement schemes have been successfully implemented in other professions and could be replicated for pharmacists.
- Expansion of PEP Exam Centers
- He assured attendees of his ongoing advocacy for additional centers in the South-South and South-East regions.
Closing Remarks
The meeting ended on a positive note, with a mutual understanding of the critical role young pharmacists play in the profession’s future. The PSN President encouraged PSN-YPG members to continue their active participation in professional development and contribute to the society’s growth.