Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd.), has traced Nigeria’s stunted growth to the abandonment of the 1975 Development Plan drawn up by his administration.

Speaking Thursday as chairman of the inauguration of the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, Gowon, who was in power as military ruler from 1966 to 1975, expressed shock that succeeding administrations jettisoned the plan, which he said if implemented could have fast-tracked the country’s development.

“I don’t know where Nigeria would have been if it had not been abandoned. Nigeria would have been greater than even Brazil. Unfortunately, that development plan was jettisoned and we have not had any plan since then,” Gowon lamented.

The former military ruler condemned the rivalry between doctors and pharmacists as well as other healthcare professionals, urging them to collaborate for the common good. “Collaboration will bring about success in the healthcare sector,” he stated.

Gowon was sworn-in as an Honourary Fellow of the Academy during the impressive ceremony at Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Ikeja Lagos, while 47 distinguished pharmacists were honoured as Foundation Fellows.

Immediate past Minister of Information and Communications, late Prof. (Mrs.) Dora Nkem Akunyili, was honoured posthumously as a Foundation Fellow and a minute’s silence observed in her honour. Prof. Akunyili, who died on June 7, after a two-year battle with cancer, was represented at the occasion by one of her sons, Mr. Obumneme Akunyili.

Among others honoured as Foundation Fellows of the Academy set up by the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) were the President of the Academy and former Secretary of Health in the defunct Interim National Government, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi; former coordinator of the National Programme on Immunisation, Dere Awosika; Hon. Jimmy Agbaje; former of Minister of Transport, Hon. Ibrahim Isa Bio; Dr. Maggie Ibru; Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa; Brig-General Ibrahim U. Babangida; Mrs Stella Okoli; President of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), Dr. Nelson Uwaga; Alhaji Ahmed Yakasai; and founder of LEADERSHIP Group and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Sam Nda-Isaiah.

•Photo shows General Gowon.