INDUCTION: PSCHT Pankshin Received PCN Registrar Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed
The Management of Plateau State College of Health Technology Pankshin received the Pharmacy Council of Nigerian (PCN) for the first ever induction ceremony of Pharmacy Technicians in the College.
Speaking in an interview, the Head of Department, Pharm Gokum Bazalam Gogol, said the induction ceremony marks the official admission of the graduates into the pharmacy profession.
He stressed that the ceremony will also give the new graduates the permit to practice the profession having spent three years in the College. He further accentuated that;
“Induction/Oath-taking ceremony is a professional undertaking because you cannot practice Pharmacy without being inducted. It is a very critical end-product programme for the training of Pharmacy Technicians.”
“It is coordinated by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN). They are the body in charge of developing policies, Pharmacy education, registration of Pharmacy Technicians, Pharmacist and controlling of practice.”
Delivering the speech of the Acting Provost of the College Dr. Markus Amang Avong, the Deputy Provost, Mr. Mahanan Emmanuel Josiah welcome the PCN Registrar Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed into the College as he appreciates his leadership in the maintenance of high standards in the training of Pharmacy professionals which is also responsible for the improvement of the human well-being.
Dr. Markus also emphacized the College commitment toward advancing the required standard of educational development inline with the Vision and Mission of the Council. He made this clear while outlining the positive effort of the Executive Governor of Plateau state, His Excellency Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang as it’s evident in the 2024 and 2025 budget which captured provision for college accreditation and infrastructural development respectively.
The Acting Provost also appreciated the Head of Department (HoD) Pharm. Gokum and the entire staff for their dedication toward this remarkable success as well as the inductees for the remarkable achievement.
Addressing the inductees, the Registrar Pharmacy Council of Nigeria Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed who spoke through the PCN States Officer Dr. Winfred Okoye congratulated the graduands who have been groomed in the College and are ready to take their place for the provision of Pharmaceutical services under the supervision of a registered Pharmacist.
He further stated that “Certified Pharmacy Technicians are expected to find fulfilment in their chosen endeavour, strictly adhering to the code of conduct and other regulations of the PCN”
The Registrar, reinstated the commitment of PCN toward engaging other Universities with faculties of Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical science that are yet to recognize Pharmacy Technicians for Direct Entry Admission into their institutions. More so, he stated that University of Jos, University of Maiduguri, Obafemi Awolowo University and Bayaro University Kano among other institutions are open to any Pharmacy Technician ready to advance their educational development within the Faculty of Pharmaceutical science and also upgrade their status of Pharmacy Technician to Pharmacist.
In commemoration of the event Pharm. Jilang Fotshack Abednego delivered a paper on “Electronic Library”, which he stated that; “One area where electronic libraries have become increasingly relevant is in the field of pharmacy technician education”.
As the demand for skilled pharmacy technicians grows, more so, the proficiency in utilizing electronic libraries has become a prerequisite for pharmacy technician course accreditation, as it is integral to keeping up-to-date with the latest developments in the field.
The paper also explore how electronic libraries differ from traditional libraries and how they play a crucial role in the accreditation of pharmacy technician courses.
By leveraging electronic libraries, pharmacy technician students can access a wealth of information that can enhance their learning experience and prepare them for a successful career in healthcare delivery within the community.
At the apex of the event, the HoD Pharm. Gokum, presented the successful eighty-five (85) inductees out of ninety-five (95) that sat for the national examination to the Council’s Registrar for oath taking.
During the administration of oath which was handed by Dr. Winifred Okoye PCN State Officer unbehalf of the Registrar. Dr. Okoye admonished the prospective Technicians to always hold to their core values of deligence, friendliness, transparency, accountability, etiquette and commitment to professional service delivery.
At the end of oath administration, the inductees where presented with permit and certificate of practice as Pharmacy Technician under the supervision of a certified Pharmacist.
Responding unbehalf of the newly inducted Pharmacy Technicians, Mr. Jidauna Daniel appreciated the College community for the positive effort in modeling them toward attaining this remarkable success and promise to be worthy ambassadors of the College. He also appreciated the leadership of PCN for maintaining the required standard in the education and training it amiable field. Ending his remarks, he said “Our success can’t be completed without honouring our beloved parents for all the support and to God Almighty for the grace of success”.
In a goodwill message, the President Pharmacy Students Association, Comrade Nanyil Nanmwa Chirkat admonish his senior colleagues to think above Technicians cadre and look into advancing their career as Pharmacist with international impact.