- warns against professional misconduct
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has inducted 68 new pharmacy graduates from Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State, into the pharmacy profession, with strict warning against professional misconduct.
PCN Registrar, Pharm. Ibrahim Ahmed, administered the pharmacist’s oath to the graduands at the second induction and oath-taking ceremony at the university campus, on Tuesday.
He said the induction was the first phase of their training as professionals. “The second phase of your Pharmacy training starts with the one-year statutory internship programme which is compulsory for all Pharmacists in Nigeria Including those trained abroad but are yet to be registered in their countries of training.”
Ahmed told the new professionals.that the one year internship period is primarily a period training and preparation for future opportunities, hence they are expected to take the one year very seriously as there may not be opportunities to make up for anytime wasted. “You will be expected to participate in an examination after internship to be eligible to practice in Nigeria.”
He encouraged them to get yourselves acquainted with the Code Of Professional Ethics which prescribed their professional and moral responsibilities to patients, colleagues, other healthcare professionals, employers, the public, among others. “Strict compliance to the Code of Ethics is indispensable for the practice of pharmacy profession in Nigeria.”
He insisted that PCN frowns at professional misconduct in its entirety. “You are advised to refrain from any act of misconduct as this will be treated with all the seriousness it deserves. Kindly note that PCN Act provided for an Investigative Panel and Disciplinary Tribunal as mechanisms for handling issues of professional misconduct.”
He congratulated and welcome them into the pharmacy profession in Nigeria, and also wished them success in their career journey.
Vice Chancellor, Bingham University, Prof. Haruna Kuje Ayuba, in his remarks, expressed joy and appreciation to all the people that were involved in the training of the students over the years, as well as the inductees for their resilience and commitment to their study culminating in their graduation and induction into the pharmacy profession.
He charged the inductees to go into the world and be good ambassadors of the institution through their exemplary and professional services to Nigerians, and never forget to strictly adhere to ethics of their profession.
He reminded them tha during their stay in the university, core values of Christian faith and hard work was inculcated in them. If you can stick to the core values, and follow the rules of your profession, then nothing will limit your success in life. I am very sure that you have acquired spiritual and necessary academic knowledge for self reliance,” he said.
Dean of Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prof. John Alfa, in his remarks, confirmed that the inductees have been imparted with the requisite knowledge and skills that would make them successful in the profession.
He, therefore, encouraged them to launch into the global space as ambassadors and alumni of faculty of pharmaceutical sciences of the university and make their mark.
Keynote Speaker, Chamberlin Onuoha, a health development expert, program manager and a pharmacy, in his presentation, added some knowledge and exposures to the inductees on how they can be successful in the profession and make necessary impact on their world.