University of Port Harcourt Holds Pharmacy Oath Taking Ceremony
A total of 72 graduates from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) were inducted into the profession by the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) in an oath taking event held at the Ebitimi Banigo Auditorium, University Park on Friday, January 27, 2017.
Speaking at the 5th Induction Ceremony of the university, the Registrar of the Council, Mr. Elijah Mohammed, congratulated his junior colleagues on their success and praised the University Management for the quality training which the students received throughout their residency period that qualified them to practise the profession.
The Registrar also commended parents and guardians for investing in their wards which has enabled the country to increase manpower in the critical allied medical field.
“You have concluded the first phase of your training and now inducted into the Council, but you must undergo the second phase of training which is your Internship placement. It is after that phase of training that you will be licensed to practise as qualified pharmacists. However, take notice that we are guided by a strict ethical code of professional conduct.
“We have moral obligations to blend into the two major components of our profession which manifest in our practice and in our products. The Council in partnership with relevant agencies is cleaning up the systemic rot in the practice and administration of drugs. You must get yourselves acquainted with our code of ethics, so that you will not have yourself to blame when you go against the statutory rules governing the Council and the profession,” the Registrar added.
In his address, the UNIPORT Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ndowa Lale, described the Induction ceremony as another intellectual harvest time, expressing the commitment of his administration to the steady growth of pharmaceutical training in the University.
“As you may be aware, the study of Pharmaceutical Sciences is a relatively new addition to our academic programmes in this University, but I am pleased to announce that this young Faculty has proved beyond all shadows of doubt that it is ready, able and willing to take its place on the frontline in the training of qualified manpower for the healthcare sector,” the Vice-Chancellor said.
Prof. Lale charged the young pharmacists to strive towards upholding the ideals of diligence and professional excellence in service to patients and humanity, enjoining them to be worthy ambassadors of the University which has become an attractive brand name in and outside the country.
