Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has admitted 112 new fellows, among them was Pharm. (Dr.) Afusat Adesina, the only Hijab-wearing Muslim woman among them.
Dr. Adesina and other successful candidates were conferred with the highest award in the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) at the 2022 investiture ceremony held on Thursday, February 10, at the prestigious Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
The news of Dr. Adesina’s latest achievement was shared on social media by one of her proteges, Pharm. Halimah Adedeji, who wrote;
“Congratulations to a great leader, a big sister, mentor per excellence and trailblazer, Dr. Afusat Adesina on your investiture as a Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN). It is an honour well deserved. Barakallahu fii ma. Proud of you always.
In an exclusive chat with Muslim News, Dr. Adesina, a public health and Clinical pharmacist and Fellow of the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacy (FPCPharm), expressed her feeling over the conferment.
According to her, “I feel excited even though it was a mixed feeling. First, it’s the highest award for my profession. The conferment means more responsibility, and I mean, one just has to be more careful, especially being a mentor to younger ones.
“At a point, I was a bit afraid because the expectations are huge, which I asked myself whether I would be able to deliver. In all, what’s important is our relationship with Allah and how we have been able to impact lives and the society positively. I pray Allah helps me and accepts it as an act of worship. Ameen”, she added.
Dr. Adesina, who currently works as an Associate Director at Howard University Global Initiative Nigeria as Associate Director Pharmacy Services, HUGIN/SHARP, said being the only female Muslim in hijab in the 2022 inductees comes with its challenge, thereby calling on young Muslimahs in the profession not to compromise their religious values.
“Right there, I made it known that I would not shake hands with opposite sex, especially during the presentation. Besides, the medal will not be worn on me. So, I eventually collected it and wore it myself. Alhamdulillah. It was a successful outing that had in attendance my family, friends and colleagues”, she added.
Dr. Adesina, current Acting Assistant Secretary, National, Al-Muminaat (The Believing Muslim Women) Organisation obtained a PhD in Public health from the Central University of Nicaragua, South America in 2019.
Before then, Muslim News gathered that the hijab-wearing Muslimah had bagged a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm. D), from the University of Benin, Nigeria; a Master of Science (M.Sc) in Public Health (Epidemiology) and a Master of Science (MSc) in Clinical Pharmacy, both from the University of Lagos. She also had a Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm) in 1995 from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.
A member of Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN), Former (pioneer) Ameerah of Muslim Pharmacists Association of Nigeria (MPAN), Dr. Adesina is a recipient of multiple honourary awards including Association of Lady Pharmacist National Merit Award, Association of Nigeria Award of Excellence and Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria Merit Award, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (Lagos Branch) Award of Excellence, and Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria Merit Award, among others.
Barakallahu fikum Ma, i wish her more success in the future.
Am also advised all Hijab wearing to emulate her