SAMUEL OLUWAOROMIPIN ADEKOLA: GIFT OF LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE By Femi Salako

Kike a luminous giant, Dr. Samuel Oluwaoromipin, Adekola, renown pharmacist and a genius whose professional sheen has consistently illuminate and permeate the nation’s extents is a darling of his people.

Samuel O. Adekola is one of Nigeria’s leading pharmacist and the National Vice Chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), whose strides and exploits in the pharmacy profession is second to none.

Doyen of the pharmacy trade in Nigeria, Pharm. Adekola controls of one of the country’s biggest pharmaceutical companies where huge number of employees earn living. In many ways, Dr. Adekola has continued to make indelible contributions and marks as a national officer of his profession.

The Supare-Akoko born pharmacist has been a gift to pharmacy practice in Nigeria, the same gift that he means to his birth place, Supare, the heart town of Akoko land of Ondo-state. A darling of his people, illustrious Samuel Adekola was born on 29th May, 1974, in Supare – Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria.

Young Adekola began primary education at the Christ Primary School, Supare- Akoko,proceeded to the Community (U.P.E) Primary School, Akungba-Akoko. Upon the completion of primary education, he joined

Oroke High School. Akungba-Akoko. Adekola, a sterling young man, having passed in flying colours his Senior School Certificate Examination, was admitted to the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, to study pharmacy. He is also a proud alumnus of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, where he earned Master in Business Administration (MBA).

His versed training which has imbued him with competence has also added to his resume outstanding certifications: Certificate Training in Emergence Management (RED CROSS Int’l) 2011; Certificate Training in Immunisation Provision (American Pharmaceutical Association), 2011.

He has for long, even since his university years, been a star. Little wonder he has his golden garb laurelled with stars, hence the Award of Excellence by PANS, University of Benin, Benin City, 2013; Entrepreneur of Distinction Award 2012 by Ondo State Chambers of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture (OSCCIMA); One of the (100) Community Pharmacists / Pharmacies of Excellence in Pharmaceutical Care show cased in Video at the FIP Centennial Congress in Amsterdam, 2012.
His other laurels include the prominent student’s award, faculty of Pharmacy, O.A.U, Ile-Ife, 2000; Campus Cardiovascular Academic Award by Neimeth International Pharmaceutical PLC, 1998; Campus Cardiovascular Academic Award by Neimeth International Pharmaceutical PLC, 1999; Best student Merit Award 1993 Set, Oroke High school, Akungba-Akoko

Samuel Adekola has experiences of work that covers the various genres of life. He’s the Pastor, All Christians Fellowship Ministry International, 2002 till date; Part –time Member of Hospital Management Board, Akure,; 2009 till date; Certified Community Pharmacist Immunization Provider from the year 2011 up to now. Adekola is MD /CEO, His Grace (KSP) Pharma Ltd, Akure, 2002 till date; Secretary, Board of Directors Sunshine Co-opharm Ltd; 2005 till date; Business Manager, Sunshine Coophram Ltd., Akure, 2005 till date; Part – time Minister (Teacher) All Christian Fellowship Ministries, 2002 till date; NYSC Pharmacist , Gumel General Hospital, Jigawa State; 2001 till 2002; Intern Pharmacist, DRPU Faculty of Pharmacy OAU, Ile-Ife; 2000 till 2001.

Adekola is a distinguished member of the following professional associations. International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), Netherlands; Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Association (CPA); African Pharmaceutical Forum (APF); Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN); Pharmaceutical society of Nigeria (PSN); Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN)

His writings and research include MBA Thesis: Effectiveness of Personal Selling as Marketing Tool in Pharmaceuticals Marketing; B. Pharm. Degree: preliminary phytochemical investigation of Ocimum gratissimum. He also authored articles on: Black hypertensives story: Rational Drug design and Therapy, 1998 National Hypertension Essay Competition; Pharmaco-economics and Management of Hypertension: implication for black hypertensives. 1999 National Hypertension Essay Competition,

One thing else you cannot take away from Adekola is his versatility and wide knowledge of both public and private world’s stemmed from his wife spectrum of studies and seminars attended. These include: FIP Congress, Seoul South Korea; FIP Congress, Dussendolf Germany; FIP Congress, Republic of Argentina; FIP Congress, Dublin Ireland; FIP Centennial Congress, Netherland; PSN 2nd Pharmacists Summit,Lagos; FIP Congress, Turkey; FIP Congress , Portugal, and FIP Congress , India.

Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria Annual Conferences; 1999 till date; Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria Annual Conference, 2002 till date; Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria Students annual conference,1995 to 2000; 3rd entrepreneurship empowerment workshop by Obafemi Awolowo University Junior Chamber and Neimeth International Pharmaceutical Plc; Alliance for Prudent use of Antibiotics inauguration workshop January, 2000.

He has held various leadership positions, among which are: National Vice – Chairman , Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria ACPN 2015 – 2018; Chairman, Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria APBN Ondo State, 2014 – 2016; 1st Vice-Chairman Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria, Ondo State; 2012 – 2014; Chairman, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Ondo State Branch, Feb. 2012 – 2015; Chairman, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Ondo State Branch, 2009 to 2012; Council Member, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria National, 2009 – 2015.

Also, initiator/Admin Secretary/ Business Manager, Sunshine Co-opharm Ltd. 2005 till date; Vice-Chairman, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Ondo State Branch, 2006 to 2009; Chairman, Nigerian Association of Industrial Pharmacists, Ondo State Chapter 2004 to 2006; Assistant General Secretary, PANS National Secretariat , UI, Ibadan 1999 – 2000; President, National Union of Supare Student,1998-2000; Class Representative (Part I to V) faculty of pharmacy, O.A.U. Ile-Ife, 1994-1999; Senior Prefect Boy, Oroke High School, Akungba, 1992/1993; Senior Prefect Boy, Community Primary School, Akungba-Akoko, 1985/1986

With a genius Samuel Adekola leading Nigeria’s pharmacy practice, the profession is headed for distinctions, the same which Samuel himself personifies. Pharmacist Adekola loves to tender flowers, doing passionate photography and gardening. Adekola is married with four (4) kids.