IT’S HIGH TIME WE BECAME YOUR BRAND AMBASSADOR…………… AISHA EDWARDS
By Augustus Bill
On Wednesday 11, 2017 Miral Pharm Limited, a drug manufacturing company in Lagos organized a press conference at Unizik School of Pharmacy Agulu in view of introducing her new anti-malaria drug Ravimal, which is described as a perfect stop for malaria.
Professor Uzochukwu Ikemefuna of the Unizik School of Pharmacy spoke on the state of Malaria Research in Unizik, a strong attempt, which he described is yielding a lot of fruits and would in no time proffer lasting solutions to the menace of Malaria in Nigeria and beyond. He applauded Miral Pharm Limited for deeming it wise to introduce and sponsor an Essay communication for undergraduates towards finding a solution to end malaria. Ikemefuna said the call for essays by the company is in the right direction and at the right time.
The theme of the conference, which was on Ending Malaria for Good, created an ample opportunity for the pharmaceutical company to highlight her inroads in eradicating Malaria in Africa. The Director of the company Dr. Onyeka Onyeibor emphasised on the role her company is playing as a leading pharmaceutical company in Nigeria, and assured that with their new anti-malaria drug the company is geared to put a long stop to malaria across Africa. He also explained that the company’s initiative to introduce an essay competition was to allow undergraduates take part in the research being carried out on Malaria.
Speaking during the event, Aisha Edward, the leader of APLSCD, a sickle cell group applauded thee company’s initiative and efforts in combating malaria, which she said is one of the undermining situations associated with their disorder. She however, urged the pharmaceutical company to always consider sickle cell victims as perfect brand ambassadors for their brand, as it would be entirely fair to have them as ambassadors, since their disorder has made them the highest consumer of the pharmaceutical products, and making them ambassadors would be a way of showing appreciation for their patronage over the years.
Aisha further called on relevant authorities present at the conference to support her association’s initiative for a campaign rally and seminar on drug abuse and Self-medication at Nnewi on February 24, 2017. She explained that the rally would go a long way in curbing the incessant cases of drug abuse and self-medication in the state and beyond.
In their separate speeches, Prof Stella Okunna, Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences Unizik, and Prof Modebe of Unizik Teaching Hospital Nnewi, applauded the efforts of the pharmaceutical company, and also commended the gallant strides of Aisha Edward who has taken the fight of sickle cell to a whole new pragmatic level. They, however, urged people to cue into the wave Making sensitization and advocacy.
Dignitaries at the conference were UNIZIK Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof Carol Arinze Umeobi, Dr. Onyeka Onyeibor of Miral Pharm Limited, Professor Uzochukwu Ikemefuna of the Unizik School of Pharmacy, Prof Stella Okunna, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences Unizik, Prof. Modebe of Public Health Department Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Chinwe Uzochukwu of the department of Mass Communication, Unizik and many other big wigs in the academic field.
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