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The National Executive Council (NEC) and Council of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) announces with heavy hearts the peaceful exit of its former President (1994-1997) and distinguished statesman, Prof. Ebenezer Olanrewaju Ogunlana at the age of 87 years.
A fellow of the Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria, he was also a traditional chief from the source in his capacity as the Fiwajoye of Ile Ife, the cradle of the Yorubas.
Ogunlana holds the National honour of the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) and was one of the pioneer Fellows of the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (FWAPCP) in 1993.
His numerous works, research, and publications bear eloquent testimonies of why he left footprints on the sands of time and was the third recipient of the Andre Bedat award of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) for a practitioner who has made significant contributions to Pharmacy at the international level.
He remains the first black man and African to be so decorated at FIP.
Ogunlana, who was a consultant to the WHO and UNIDO was appointed Professor Pharmaceutics in January, 1976 at UNIFE. He co-authored several books on drug analysis, medicinal chemistry and Pharmacy. He founded and was MD, Lanpharm Laboratories Ltd, Lagos.”
His marriage to Aderemi for over 50 years produced children and several grandchildren.
The PSN, in a statement by its President, Prof. Cyril Usifoh, announcing the death of its former president, said Ogunlana joined the staff of the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ife (now, Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife.
“As one of the pillars of the premier Faculty of Pharmacy in sub-Saharan Africa, the quintessential Professor rose to become the HOD of the Pharmaceutics department and was a two time Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ife (now OAU), Ile-Ife. Ogunlana was also a one-time Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Ife before he finally bowed out of the academic walls in 1987.
“Ogunlana, a distinguished Pharmacist and Scientist was also a one-time president of the erstwhile West African Pharmaceutical Federation, which was a strategic template of National Pharmacy Organisations of Anglophone West African countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra -Leone, Gambia and Liberia.
“In 1977, when the Fellowship of the PSN was at relative infancy, Ogunlana was one of the seven elected Fellows of the PSN. He emerged as the 13th President of the PSN in 1994 at the annual general meeting (AGM) of the PSN. In this capacity, he left indelible marks that positioned him to be elected to lead the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria in the year 2000.
“He remains the first and only Pharmacist that led this great template of Professionals in Nigeria and was very active in his favorite church, Methodist of trinity, Tinubu, Lagos. He was a choir master and knight of Charles Wesley,
