By: Ade Adeleke
…..Adetimehin, Aragbaiye, Labour leaders, Perm Secs celebrate him.
It was a gathering of cream la creme in Ondo state when the immediate past National Chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, ACPN, Pharmacist Samuel Adekola, was hosted to red carpets reception by friends and the state government.
The Heroic Reception tagged, “Pharmacist Samuel Adekola: Heroic Home Coming for an Achiever”, was attended by top Public Servants, political class and labour leaders from in and outside the state.
The reception held at Winners’ Event Centre, Ijapo Estate, Akure, was also graced by the National leadership of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, ACPN, led by the new National Chairman, Pharmacist Adewale Oladigbolu.
The guests who also included the Ondo State Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC), Engr Ade Adetimehin, were treated to melodious music and sumptuous dinner.
Speaking at the colourful event, the new National President of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, ACPN, Pharmacist Adewale Oladigbolu, described his predecessor as a goal-getter who has been very loyal to the development and progress of pharmacists and the profession.
The Special Adviser to the Ondo state Governor on Union Matters & Special Duties, Mr Oluwadare Aragbaiye, expressed joy that Pharmacist Adekola used his tenure as ACPN National Chairman to project potentials capacity of Ondo state people.
Aragbaiye said, “even Mr Governor is very pleased with your, the way you have projected our state, we pray you continue to grow and wish you greater height.”
The Ondo State APC Chairman, Engr Ade Adetimehin commended the Supare Akoko-born Pharmacist Adekola for being consistent politically in rallying support for the reelection of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu during the 2020 governorship election.
In a remark, the Permanent Secretary, Ondo state Ministry of Health, Pharmacist Mrs Foluke Aladelola, described Adekola as a reliable, workaholic and vibrant friend and professional colleague who always fight for a better and improved health sector especially the fight against fake drugs.
Responding, the celebrator, Pharmacist Samuel Adekola, who expressed deep appreciation to those who organised the heroic reception for him, described it as unexpected and unprecedented gesture that he would cherish and not forget for the rest of his life.
Adekola who returns all glory to Almighty God for using him as the ACPN National Chairman to collaborate with other key stakeholders like NAFDAC to reduce fake and counterfeit drugs in Nigeria from over 70% to nearly 20%.
The Seasoned Pharmacist who expressed appreciation to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for promoting a pharmacist as the Permanent Secretary, the state Ministry of Health in person of Mrs Foluke Aladelola, appealed to all health workers to always support the present administration in the state to achieve its lofty initiatives for the sector.
On the incessant strike in the health sector nationwide, Adekola called for appointments of non-health workers as the Minister of Health, Chairmen of Senate and House of Representatives committees on health, in order to prevent favouritism and partiality in the management of the sector.
The former ACPN National President who blamed those in the helm of affairs for frequent crisis in the sector, advocated appointment of seasoned administrators to run the health sector for a lasting peace.
The event was also attended by many Senior and Renowned Pharmacists; a former SDP governorship candidate, Dr Peter Fasua; labour leaders led by the Ondo State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Sunday Adeleye Oluwole; the Ondo state JNC Chairman, Comrade Niyi Fabunmi; NLC Secretary, Comrade Omokehinde Shado; the State NULGE President, Comrade Bola Taiwo; the NUT Chairman and NLC Vice Chairman, Comrade Victor Amoko; the state JUSUN Chairman, Comrade Femi Afolabi as well as the Ondo State Secretary of NUJ, Comrade Leke Adegbite; permanent secretaries and friends of the celebrants.
