BOF-PSN to Hold 7th Public Lecture July 2

The Board of Fellows of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (BOF-PSN) is set to hold its Mid-Year Meeting and 7th Public Lecture from July 2nd to 3rd, 2025.

The development was made public by the Chairman of the group, Pharm Uchenna Apakama, during a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday.

Themed, “Mental Health: A Basic Human Right Crucial to Personal, Community and Socio-Economic Development”, the event will be held at The Festival Hotel, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos.

Apakama warned that “mental health is a growing concern in our country, with a significant impact on individuals, families.

He emphasised: “It is found in every tribe, religion and culture, affecting the young, old, poor and rich. Indeed mental health is everyone’s business.”

The chairman stated that the BOF takes mental health seriously and seeks to promote our efforts to build up a healthy Nigeria, where there is inclusiveness and support.

Among activities lined up for the lecture are discussing the current state of mental health in Nigeria, the situation of drugs and substance abuse, the role of pharmacists in mental health care, and strategies for promoting mental health awareness.

He also urged governments at all levels to train psychiatric nurses, healthcare providers, and community pharmacists.

Apakama suggested that workshops should be organised for community pharmacists to handle mental health cases better, stressing that they are one of the primary health care providers.

“We are ready to get more involved but we need additional training and funding, which the government must be ready to provide.

“Train the pharmacists on how to handle mental health cases, the more we do it, the better we come,” he stated.

On how to support mental health, the BOF chairman charged the government and general public to, “Increase awareness, support mental initiatives, prioritise self-care, promote establishment of more treatment centres and find research to uncover new knowledge and possibilities”.

On his part, this year’s LOC Chairman, Pharm Gbenga Falabi, said the event is open to the general public to tackle the fast-growing menace of drug misuse and abuse in Nigeria.

He said: “We want people who will support the vision of the BOF to come, which is to support our campaign against drug misuse and abuse, especially among the youths.

“This is the major issue in Nigeria today, and the earlier we take the bull by the horns, the better for us. We are still a newcomer as a user country. If we can address it, leverage the press, government, professionals, and others, we will be able to reduce the menace.

He added: “We are vigorously appealing for increased support towards our BOF Endowment Fund for promotion of excellence in pharmaceutical education, research and development.”

The Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa will serve as this year’s chairman, while Dr Gbonjubola Babalola Aburi is the keynote speaker.

Dr Lucas Koyejo, Commander Abubakar Liman Wali, and Pharm. Veronica Okugbeni is a panelist at the event.