Prof. Oparah Decorated with Award Plaque, Cheque

The Pharmanews Dean of the Year Award 2023 celebrated Prof. Azuka Oparah, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy at UNIBEN, with an indoor ceremony at Pharmanews’ Lagos corporate office on November 23, 2023. The event gathered esteemed professors like Prof. Ibrahim Oreagba, Prof. Noel Wannang, and Prof. (Mrs) Oluwatoyin Odeku to honor Prof. Oparah for clinching the prestigious award, earning 1539 votes from an online poll that ended on August 7, 2023.

This distinguished award is the 6th Annual Award initiated by Pharmanews Ltd, a gesture aimed at recognizing the exceptional contributions of deans in the country’s schools of pharmacy. In addition to the Dean of the Year Award, Pharmanews has instituted several other awards such as the Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi (SIA) Essay & Debating Competition, the Young Pharmacist Award, the PANSite Award, Outstanding Pharmacist Award, and Pharmanews Interschool Debate Competition.

Pharmanews’ publisher, Pharm. (Sir) Ifeanyi Atueyi, emphasized the pivotal role of deans in a faculty’s overall performance, stressing the importance of effective leadership, administration, and management skills. He urged deans to leave a positive legacy by performing exceptionally well during their tenure.

Prof. Oparah expressed gratitude for the award, recalling his longstanding relationship with Pharmanews and Sir Atueyi dating back almost 40 years, stemming from his days as the National President of the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students (PANS). Initially taken aback by the award’s impact, Oparah admitted being initially reserved but acknowledged the vast positive attention it garnered, making him more visible in the pharmacy profession and within his institution.

Acknowledging the tremendous impact of the award on his visibility and relations within the university, Oparah pledged to sustain the trust vested in him by voters and to maintain his commitment to students’ accessibility and engagement.

Professors Wannang and Oreagba commended Pharmanews’ initiative in recognizing excellence in the pharmacy profession, affirming the outstanding contributions of Prof. Oparah. They highlighted Sir Atueyi’s dedication to uplifting the pharmacy profession and Pharmanews’ remarkable efforts in showcasing and promoting the profession’s positive image.

Prof. Odeku lauded Sir Atueyi’s tireless efforts in advancing the field of pharmacy and praised the recognition of Prof. Oparah’s accomplishments as a motivator, emphasizing the often underappreciated role of a dean and the positive impact they can have.

The event marked a gathering of academic leaders, celebrating excellence in pharmacy and reinforcing the importance of recognition and motivation within the profession.

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