The Academy of Pharmacy is honouring the Oldest Pharmacist, Chief Oludolapo Ibukun Akinkugbe with a Lifetime Achievers Award on September 12 in Lagos.

Akinkugbe who turns 90 in December, has the record of coming from a family with medical science as profession. His father qualified as a chemist and druggist in 1919 and is “from an impressive family tree in the ancient town of Ondo. Chief Oludolapo Akinkugbe’s younger brother, Professor Olujimi Oladipupo Akinkugbe is also a renowned Physician.

 Akinkugbe alongside Founder of the TY Danjuma Foundation and Chairman of May & Baker Nigeria Plc, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd) will both receive Lifetime Achievement Award and Honorary Fellowship, respectively in a special ceremony which will also feature a lecture by former Vice Chancellor, Benson Idahosa University, Benin-City, Professor Ernest Izevbigie.

According to Vice President of the Academy, Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi, who is the Chairman of the Planning Committee, the lecture is themed ” From Plant to Patient: Driving Research & Innovation for Industry” .

Akinkugbe will be be honoured for his pioneering and entrepreneurial trailblazing efforts as a manufacturer.

 Akinkugbe was the pioneer General Secretary of the defunct Nigerian Union of Pharmacists (NUP) and currently the oldest surviving former President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), having served as the fourth President of the body.

Chief Akinkugbe, is the first pharmacist and third distinguished personality to be awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Academy; others are former INEC boss, Prof. Attahiru Jega and former Executive Secretary NUC, Prof Julius Okojie.

Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd) will receive an Honorary Fellowship in recognition of his philanthropic contributions in nation-building where citizens have access to quality health care, education and equal opportunities to realize their potentials.

He’ll be joining former Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, a recipient of the Academy’s Honorary Fellowship.

Prof Izevbigie, who will deliver the Academy Lecture, is an accomplished researcher and renowned authority recognized for his focus on the use of bitter leaf in cancer and diabetes management.

He is also Founder & Chief Scientific Officer, EdoBotanics, a leading firm in the production of phytoceuticals, nutraceuticals, and dietary supplements.

Atueyi explained that the Academy picked Prof. Izevbigie ” for his being an exemplar of one of the Academy’s critical focal areas which is to champion the cause of transformational change and innovation by encouraging industry, research and development and seizing the several technology advancement opportunities open to pharmacare.

“He has translated his research invention into a product, EdoTIDEs, which utilizes 100% pure Vernonia Amygdalina commonly referred to as bitter leaf, for prophylaxis and treatment for cancer and diabetes patients and has gained international recognition as well as meeting societal needs,” Atueyi noted.

The Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy was inaugurated in June 2014 as a specialized academy that, among others, seeks to promote scientific research and professional development, especially in the health, pharmaceutical and related sectors in order to help overcome challenges posed by pain and disease as well as fast-track social and economic development in Nigeria and beyond.

ENDS