It is no longer news that the much anticipated national conference of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), tagged “Jos City 2017” which holds in the city of Jos, Plateau State between, July 2 to July 7, 2017 is around the corner. In this exclusive interview with Pharmanews, Pharm. Aderemi Ogunyemi, the conference planning committee (CPC) chairman, spoke on their preparation towards the annual event.
Excerpt:
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am Pharm. Aderemi Ogunyemi, a merit award winner of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and chairman, PSN, Ogun State Chapter. I am a second generation community pharmacist in my family, as my father is also a community pharmacist. I am a 1991 graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State and I set up my own Pharmacy, Idera Pharmacy Limited, where I serve as the chief executive officer (CEO) in 2001.
What is your assessment of the last conference at Enugu, compared to the previous ones?
As a matter of fact, I sincerely enjoyed the Enugu conference, but we intend to improve on the lapses of Enugu in Jos, God willing.
What informed the decision for the theme of this year conference, “Community Pharmacists Role in Nation Building: Past, Present and Future?
The theme was carefully chosen to impose an appraisal of our often understated contributions to nation building in spite of our acknowledged status as an assemblage of leading frontline professionals. I believe the theme would provoke us to reflect and thereafter properly position to maximally utilize emergent and emerging opportunities.
Looking at the calibre of people who have being CPC chairmen for ACPN national conferences in the past, how do you feel being the chairman for Jos City 2017?
I am humbled by this special call to service. I thank the National Chairman, Dr. Alkali Kelong for the unique opportunity. I as well salute all my predecessors for blazing the trail.
How prepared is ACPN towards the national conference and what measures have you put in place to ensure the conference is a scess?
We are hundred percent ready and preparations are already in place to ensure a pleasurable, memorable, educative and rewarding experience for all participants. All the security agencies have been mobilised to ensure adequate security, while the state government and the ministry of health in the state are also ready for us.
The last national conference in Enugu State was adjudged one of the best conferences organised by the association by many, what improvement should community pharmacists expect in Jos, Plateau State?
Delegates will notice that the on- line registration portal this year is user – friendlier and prompter than last year's. So, I urge everyone to register right away and ensure they convince others who have decided not to go, as the conference promise to be better than that of last years in every aspect.
Accommodation issue and hitches in registration were part of the complaints by the participants at the last conference in Enugu State, what are you doing to ensure things get better this year?
The snags noticed in registration and accommodation issue at the last conference have been eliminated in ‘Jos City 2017' and as I stated earlier, I want our colleagues to register without delay. I advise strongly that accommodation bookings be done through us as we have locked down all the good hotels within reasonable distance of the conference venue. Our arrangements on security and easy commuting to and from the Conference Venue will be available to all who book through us.
What is the level of support ACPN has received from the PSN national and Plateau State government for the conference?
Participants should expect to see the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), and the Registrar of Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), alongside other stakeholders in pharmacy profession at ‘Jos City 2017'. We are assured of the participation of the Plateau State Government at the conference. We expect the Governor to grace the opening ceremony as well.
Do you have any concerns towards the conference?
I am very positive about the conference as everything that can be done as human to ensure the conference become successful have been done.
