A large number of stakeholders in the Nigerian pharmaceutical industry have praised Shalina Healthcare, a leading pharmaceutical firm, for its efforts in promoting the development of the pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria.
These were announced at the Grand Finale of the fourth edition of the Shalina Young Talents Award (SYTA), a national-level contest for final-year pharmacy students in Nigerian universities, held in Lagos on Tuesday. Shalina Healthcare’s value-added program.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Ezekiel Akinkunmi, National Chairman of the Nigeria Association of Pharmacists in Academia (NAPA), praised the pharmaceutical company for yet another effort to ensure the genuine growth of the pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria. “Shalina has again raised the bar in intellectual contribution to the development of the industry in Nigeria,” he says. And every stakeholder should applaud and support the idea of promoting the best minds among pharmacy students in Nigerian institutions.”
In this regard, Professor Aderonke Adepoju-Bello, Dean Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, praised the pharmaceutical company for its impact on enhancing the knowledge of students and pharmacists in general, saying, “The company has done very well, it has brought unprecedented knowledge-based development by going to the universities to discover young talents in the industry.” They introduced something fresh to the students, who were ecstatic. It is my hope that they will not back down and will continue with this fantastic effort. And go even further to broaden it.”
Meanwhile, Arun Raj, Chief Operating Officer, West Africa (Pharma) Business Operations, Shalina Healthcare, stated in his welcome address that the initiative is focused on “rewarding young talents in pharmacy practice in a traditional way.” It is the largest search for the finest pharmacy minds in Nigerian universities. We are committed to our founding principles of providing high-quality goods at reasonable prices and going above and beyond business to achieve our goal of making access to high-quality healthcare a right for every African so that they can live healthy, productive lives. This is accomplished by ensuring that we are doing something distinct to make a difference in society, particularly in the lives of our thronging consumers.”
The challenge is open to pharmacy students in their final year at Nigerian universities. The grand finale featured zonal winners from seven Nigerian colleges, including the University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, the University of Lagos, the University of Jos, the University of Uyo, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
At the end of the day, Abiona Damilola Peace of the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan emerged as the overall winner after pooling 90.29 points and winning a cash prize of three hundred thousand naira, while Ogunmekan Temitope of the University of Lagos with 73.9 points and Adebimpe Ebunoluwa of the University of Ibadan with 72.64 points finished second and third, respectively. Furthermore, Arun Raj, Chief Operating Officer, West Africa (Pharma) Business Operations, Shalina Healthcare, guaranteed that all fourteen Grand Finale participants would be absorbed into the business after graduation if they so desired.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
