WELCOME ADDRESS OF THE CHAIRMAN, INAUGURATION/CONFERENCE PLANNING COMMITTEE

The chairman of this inauguration event , Brg- Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd); President of the Pharmaceutical society of Nigeria, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, FPSN; Registrar of the Pharmacist Council of Nigeria, Pharm. Dr. Elijah Mohamed; Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Fellows of the PSN here present, Chairman of the ACPN (our parent technical group) Dr Samuel Adekola; Captains of the Industry, Esteemed Guests, Colleagues and Members of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers and Distributors Association of Nigeria (PWDAN), Families and Friends of the house, Members of the Press, Ladies and Gentlemen.

I welcome all most sincerely to this special event of the inauguration ceremony and mini conference of the Pharmaceutical Wholesalers and Distributors Association of Nigeria, PWDAN. It has taken us 3 years to arrive at this point and day in the formation of this Association.

The Association was borne out of the desire of the founders to contribute answers to the unending problems in the pharmaceutical distribution system in the country. Today’s event will unveil who we are, and the collective efforts being made by members of this Association in contributing to efforts in addressing issues of the challenges in drug distribution in Nigeria.
The committee saddled with the responsibility of organizing this event unanimously chose the amiable chairman of this event based on his pedigree as an achiever and a seasoned administrator who in his few months as the Chairman of NDLEA brought a turnaround in the fight against illicit drug trade. We believe his presence here today will encourage us in our collective effort to ensure the integrity of the Pharma supply chain in Nigeria.
We have chosen the theme, Supply Chain in Contemporary Health Services – the Disruption to discuss and remind us as healthcare providers of the changes occurring in our industry and the need to bring about the desired change in drug distribution and align with global best practices. Who else to do this for us other than the chief disruptor, Pharm Clare Omatseye, FPSN, Founder and CEO of JNCI.

At the end of the inauguration session, we will share more knowledge on issues of Logistics
and Distribution of Pharmaceuticals in Nigeria, and we have chosen our colleague who is
handling logistics and distribution of Pharmaceuticals at the highest level with MDS
logistics (Member of Imperia Logistics group) in the person of Pharm Joseph Ijie, Head of
Pharmalogistics on the topic Effective drug Distribution- A systemic Restorative Concern.
We will also have the privilege of getting lectured on Logistics by the teacher of logistics
himself, Prof Simon Emeje, the former Director of Nigerian Postal Institute and the current
Chairman of Courier, Logistics Management Institute, an educator, and facilitator, on the
topic – Value Chain in Pharmaceutical Wholesale Distribution. I must say we are in for a
serious knowledge session.
I express my sincere appreciation to PWDAN for asking me to head the planning committee
of this event which turned out to be another learning field for me. I am extremely indebted
to all who assisted in making this day a reality. I say a big thank you to our sponsors for the
financial support to the noble course of the Association. I kindly implore you to visit the
exhibition stand to avail yourselves of new products and offerings on the table of the
sponsors of the event.
As we progress in the program, we will have the honor of hearing from these erudite
speakers lined up for the day. I want to encourage us to stay connected especially our
zoom/YouTube audience and those physically present here as we make history together.
During this program, this association will be inaugurated. I am convinced PWDAN, and her
members are committed to the aim and objectives of the Association as we take the oath of
allegiance to deliver on the mandate of ensuring the integrity of Pharmaceutical Supply
chain and thus, contribute to quality healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

Once again welcome and God bless.

Pharm. Omaruaye Ogheneochuko