By Dapo Ipoola
In countless religious, academic and cultural contexts, humanity has been defined to suit each of this context. But in all, the definition of it remains irreducible. Of all, humanity has been defined to be, “A virtue linked with altruistic ethics derived from the human condition. It signifies human love and compassion towards each other. Humanity differs from mere justice in that there is a level of altruism towards individuals included in humanity more so than in the fairness found in justice. Humanity refers to an act of kindness, care, and compassion towards humans. It is the positive quality of human beings. This characteristics involves the feeling of love, care, reason and decision – extending unconditional love to each and every living being on earth, and it’s the ability to love and have compassion and belief creative.”
In the account of history, humanity has been advanced to better the lots of the underprivileged and the disadvantaged. It’s been a way to identify and promote culture, sympathy, and love. Great men like Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr. promoted humanity beyond describable measure. King was an American Baptist minister, activist, and political philosopher who was one of the most prominent leaders in the civil rights movement who advanced civil rights for the people of color in the United States, through the use of nonviolent resistance and nonviolent civil disobedience against Jim Crow laws and other forms of legalized discrimination. Rosa Parks in her capacity was an American activist in the civil rights movement, best known for her pivotal role in the Montgomery bus boycott, and was later decorated by the United States Congress as “the first lady of civil rights” and “the mother of the freedom movement”.
Enter Prince Adeluyi-Adelusi, a former Minister of Health and Social Services, founder and Chairman, Juli Pharmacy Plc. Prince Adeluyi-Adelusi Julius is an accomplished elder statesman, professionally and in private businesses. He is a successful pharmacist and legal practitioner. One maybe wondering about the combination of both professions. It’s only a scholar that could toe such unprecedented professional paths. He did not just study law, he emerged as the Overall Best Student at the Nigerian Law School. On why he chose to study law, he said, “I went back to the pharmacy later but still kept my pro bono legal service particularly where people are suffering such as prison. Some inmates have been there for more than 10 years without being charged to court. So we visit the prison, take up their cases to see if we can free them. I have been doing it for over 30 years and I am still doing it. I have tremendous fulfilment from the exercise.” With his stint as a legal practitioner, he rendered a pro bono professional service to prisoners and the less privileged; and he was a member of the Black Table while in the chamber of Chief F.R.A. Williams.
On countless occasions, Prince Adeluyi-Adelusi became a man of many firsts, as he his company, Juli Pharmacy was the first indigenous company to be quoted on Nigerian Stock Exchange; first Pharmacist to serve as Minister of Health in Nigeria; first District Governor of Rotary Club, Ikeja. This enigma is not only a man many firsts, he has always left an indelible mark on whatever he touches. He was the pioneer President of the Nigerian Academy of Pharmacy and Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management; former President of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS; founding and distinguished Fellow of the Institute of Directors, DFIoD; former National Chairman of Oodua Investment Conglomerate; former National President of National Council for Population and Environmental activities, NCPEA; former National President of the Nigeria-America Chamber of Commerce and the Chairman Board of Trustees of the Chamber; former Secretary-General of the International Student Conference during their annual Conference in Christchurch, New Zealand, the composer of Pharmacy anthem and Chairman, MTN Foundation.
As the Chairman of MTN Foundation, Prince Adeluyi-Adelusi has further projected what he knows best how to do- which is the advancement and projection of humanity by giving support to the Nigerian schools and students through donation of furniture, digital libraries, instructional materials, refurbished some educational facilities, and scholarship schemes. The MTN Foundation under his watch took up the renovation of an e-library at his Alma mater, Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, and later donated 50 desktop computers which was latter named Juli Library, in honour of his outstanding contribution. Known for his incurable passion for learning and education, the MTN Foundation through his intervention established the Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme(YEDP) has offered many young Nigerian entrepreneurs financial access to training, funding, and leadership opportunities; provided support in health, youth empowerment to the vulnerable individuals, installed over forty 500KVA transformers, forty 650ft boreholes in rural communities, donated medical materials to some health centres, households, orphanage homes, and correctional centres. As cheerful philanthropist, the MTN Foundation under his chairmanship donated over 70,000 PPE items to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, and as well donated millions of naira of medical equipment to the Nigeria Police Hospital, and campaign against drug abuse through MTN Foundation Anti Substance Abuse Programme(ASAP).
Prince Adeluyi-Adelusi is not just an institutional figure in many human endeavours, he is a multifaceted character who has to his credit scores of academic publications, lectures, journals, papers on pharmacy, law, religion, strategy, and issues on national development. He is also an avid and extensive reader; lover of arts, books, music, reading, writing, and public speaking. Albert Schweitzer must have had Prince Adeluyi-Adelusi in mind when he said, “The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.” This is exactly what this iconic personage has always stood for even when it was not convenient because he believes that love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.
Dapo Ipoola, a media consultant wrote in from Ado-Ekiti.