The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Benue State Chapter, has conferred the award on the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Father Adasu University (FAU), Makurdi, Prof. Joe Tor Iorapuu, for his contribution to the growth of PSN and pharmaceutical sciences in the state.
Under his tenure as Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Iorapuu established the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at FAU, earning him recognition.
The Benue State Chairman of PSN, Pharm. Ben Ali, said the erection of the faculty at the university is a manifestation of answered prayers.
According to Pharm Ali, pharmacists in the state are unanimous and deem it fit to appreciate Prof. Iorapuu with the honours for bringing the faculty to the first state-owned university in northern Nigeria.
“We have longed for this course in the state for years. It was through the instrumentality of the VC that we have the faculty. Pharmacists in the state are unanimous about this and have deemed it wise to appreciate the VC for this development,” Pharm Ali stated.
Pharm Ali described Prof. Iorapuu as a committed public servant who places public good above self.
Prof. Iorapuu dedicated the award to pharmacists of Benue origin who contributed to the actualisation of the faculty at the state-owned university.
The VC said he took the opportunity to establish the faculty to increase the number of new intakes at the university.
He said the faculty is one of the many faculties, including agriculture, engineering and architecture, that were on his mind to bequeath to the University before the expiration of his tenure, saying, although some have been achieved, the others would come to reality in no distant time.
He called for “a lot of work” to be done at the secondary school to encourage the study of sciences to feed science faculties at the tertiary institutions.
Prof. Iorapuu called on pharmacists in the state to be committed to the faculty, get involved, and take an interest in the curriculum and courses to achieve the purpose for which it was established.
In a goodwill message, Prof. Peter Ortese commended Prof. Iorapuu for ensuring “increased access to university education for Benue indigenes and beyond,” saying his achievements will “outlive him.”
“I give God the glory for giving him (Prof. Iorapuu) the wisdom to do what he has done. What he has done is something that you can’t wish away as far as university education is concerned,” Prof. Ortese stated.
