Forty pharmacy graduates were inducted into the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), by the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Ibadan. The induction ceremony was held at the large lecture theatre of the Faculty of pharmacy on Thursday, July 4, 2014.

In his opening remark, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Adewole, represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Emilolorun Ayelari, welcomed everyone to the 27th induction ceremony, stressing that over the past 30 years the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Ibadan has demonstrated an enviable reputation for its significant contribution to meeting the manpower needs of the nation’s pharmaceutical sector.

Prof. Adewole stated that recent commitment in the faculty has led to the establishment of the Centre for Drug Discovery, Development and Production (CDDDP), through MacArthur grant for excellence.

The Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, Prof. Chinedum Babalola, in her address congratulated graduates, their parents and well-wishers.

However, she disclosed that the faculty has produced notable professionals, and also houses great minds who have won laurels, grants, recognitions locally and internationally. Her words: “The Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Ibadan is the only faculty teaching herbal medicine in Nigeria. We are urging other institutions to embrace the development. Even, it has won the bid to host National Association of Pharmacists (NAPA) journal for life.”

Mrs. Fayo Williams, who delivered the induction lecture, entitled ‘From Lab to Enterprise: Cultivating the Entrepreneurial Mindset,’ advised graduates to be creative and learn new skills to make them employable.

Mrs. Williams stressed the need for everyone to have a paradigm shift in its belief system, given the high unemployment rate in the country and disappearance of white collar job.

•Photo shows a cross section of the 2014 University of Ibadan pharmacy graduates during the induction ceremony.