All is now set for the 96th Annual National Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), arguably the largest gathering of professionals in Nigeria and one of the oldest professional bodies in the country.
This year, the conference will be holding in Gombe, the economic hub of the North-East and the capital of Gombe State, from the 30th of October to 4th November 2023. The conference is rightly dubbed “Jewel City 2023”, after the nickname of Gombe State – “Jewel in the Savannah.”
It would be the first time the conference is taking place in the state, and the first time in the North-East since it was held in Bauchi in 2004. So, naturally, the excitement is palpable not just in the city of Gombe but all over the state as preparations hit top gear to welcome over 4000 delegates.
This year’s conference, with the theme, “Pharmacy Practice: A Pivot to Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria,” would be chaired by a renowned industrialist and traditional ruler, His Royal Highness, Igwe Oranu Chris Chidume, MON, Eze Ana-Ukwu, Eze Igulube n’Omor.
The Keynote Address Speaker is the Deputy Governor of Gombe State, and a medical sociologist, His Excellency Manasseh Jatau, PhD (Tauraron Waja).
The Governor of Gombe State, His Excellency Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON (Dan Majen Gombe) will be the Host of the Conference while the young, ebullient and pragmatic Emir of Gombe, HRH Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III CFR will be royal father of the conference.
The Governor has not hidden his desire to truly transform Gombe into an investors’ haven, with his many strides in infrastructural development, including a 1000-hectare industrial park with large space allocations for Pharmaceutical investments. Various other dignitaries, captains of industry, gentlemen of the fourth estate of the realm, pharmaceutical scientists and researchers both from within and outside the country have indicated strong interest to be in attendance.
Apart from the opening ceremony on the 31st of October 2023, there will be a welcome cocktail party preceding a Health Walk around Gombe metropolis, to be led by the First Lady of the State.
Plenary sessions on topical health sector issues will culminate in the Annual General Meeting (AGM), during which elections will be conducted to fill various vacant national positions.
Other side attractions of the Conference include an excursion to Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi, the Dadin Kowa Dam in Northern Gombe, a Cultural Nite and a Dinner/Award Nite.
An exhibition arena will also be on ground at the Conference venue, the resplendent, state-of-the-art International Conference Centre, Gombe. This architectural masterpiece, fitted with modern facilities of international standard, is one of a kind nationwide.
As pharmacists converge on Gombe for the annual event, a statement by the President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Pharm Prof Cyril Odianose Usifoh, FPSN, FNAPharm, says this year’s event will not only showcase what the society has to offer Nigeria but will also push for major reforms in our health infrastructure.
• Pharm. Ikenna C. Mbata, MAW, FIMC, a socio-political commentator, is the Assistant National Secretary of the PSN as well as an Editor with The Renaissance Online Magazine. He writes from Owerri
