NAF Pharmacist Clinches Triple Awards At PSN National Conference
•By Oyeniyi Awojoodu, Ibadan
IBADAN – A consultant clinical pharmacist in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore David Olumuyiwa Babalola has set a remarkable milestone in Nigerian pharmacy practice by winning three prestigious honors at the just-concluded 97th Annual National Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN).
The conference, held from November 4 to 9, 2024, recognized Air Commodore Babalola’s exceptional contributions with the Biogenerics Integrity Award, the Pfizer Excellence Award, and a Fellowship of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (FPSN).
Babalola emerged as the best overall among public sector hospital pharmacists across Nigeria to clinch the Biogenerics Integrity Award, which comes with a cash prize of ₦1,000,000.
This annual award celebrates excellence in patient care, career achievements, innovations, training, research, professional service, philanthropy, and leadership in public hospitals.
In addition, Babalola was one of four winners of the Pfizer Excellence Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions in hospital and community pharmacy. The award includes a ₦250,000 cash prize, a commemorative plaque, and a certificate. Representatives of Pfizer Nigeria presented the honor to him during the conference’s closing banquet at Flairmore Event Centre, Uyo.
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This marks a historic moment as Babalola becomes the first Nigerian Armed Forces pharmacist to win a PSN-sponsored corporate award since its inception nearly two decades ago.
Expressing his gratitude, Babalola lauded Biogenerics Nigeria Ltd and Pfizer Nigeria for their sponsorship, which he said fosters excellence in hospital pharmacy practice. He also extended special thanks to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal HB Abubakar, for creating an enabling environment for pharmacists in the NAF and for approving the implementation of the Pharmacists Consultant Cadre in the force.
Adding to his achievements, Babalola was conferred with the Fellowship of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (FPSN), the highest honor awarded to pharmacists in Nigeria. This recognition, given for exemplary and meritorious service, further cements his legacy as a trailblazer in the field.
Air Commodore Babalola is the first pharmacist in the Nigerian Air Force to attain the rank of air commodore. With a career marked by numerous accolades, his recent achievements underscore his dedication to advancing pharmacy practice in Nigeria.
The investiture ceremony for his FPSN honor is scheduled for early 2025, setting the stage for further celebration of this distinguished military pharmacist.