A communication expert, Mr. Ugochukwu Okoroafor, has challenged Nigerian youths to rise up and frontally tackle the multifarious problems confronting them and the nation at large. He threw the challenge yesterday, Friday, February 28, 2020, while delivering the Keynote Speech at the 9th Induction/Oath Taking Ceremony of Graduating Students of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).

The former Central Bank Nigeria (CBN) Director of Communications, who spoke on the theme, “Facing The Brave New Future”, told the graduands: “There are paradoxes that will face the Nigerian resident in the sense that while the rest of the world will be witnessing major advancement in various areas, the Nigerian environment will face inexplicable decline or stunted growth. Poverty is being tackled over the world and many nations are taking millions of people each year out of it. Meanwhile, Nigeria is fast turning into the poverty capital of the world. The Youth bulge and its adverse effects are already ravaging our society.”

Okoroafor, however, advised the budding pharmacists and other Nigerian youths to focus on the positive and seek to bring about the change they desire, pointing out that “the Nigeria of the 1960s many idolise was built and governed by people in their 20s and 30s.”

He noted that “there are many more things out there to discover, not just new drugs, but new methods and processes.” On some of the things still waiting to be discovered, Okoroafor said: “I cannot resist the urge to challenge you to look back at our traditional healing methods and practices in order to see what dying cultures the world can benefit from. I have a strong feeling that there are numerous local herbs, formulations and practices that can help solve some of the world’s health challenges. This feeling is reinforced by the fact that there is the resurgence of ‘natural’ medicines and remedies. You will agree with me that the numerous herbs and concoctions of the rainforest are yet to take their place on the table of global pharmaceutical practice. Our herbs have continued to beckon for further research and for the discovery and adoption of their therapeutic effects.”

The veteran journalist and one-time student union leader further advised the graduads: “Don’t think as just a pharmacist; think as an entrepreneur. Look for problems to solve and think of how to do so at a decent return.”

He reminded them that “there is nothing more indomitable than the human spirit, but this can only be realised when we place Hope above Fear. Using the street parlance, it is that spirit of ‘God Dey’, which must continue to guide and motivate us.”

Concluding, Okoroafor said: “Regardless of what challenges we may face, remember that world history is full of tales of catastrophe and near extinction. It has always been the case since recorded history. Somehow, the world and civilisation have continued to march on inexorably. The world always gets to a point of inflexion all the time and paradigms arise to redefine human existence . . . Hope is the last ammunition in our arsenal as human beings.”

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