In a formal ceremony resplendent with pageantry, ACPHS President Toyin Tofade virtually delivered a keynote address and was honored as a Goodwill Ambassador by the alumni association of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Nigeria, during the group’s 60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee on Oct. 4.
President Tofade earned her bachelor of pharmacy degree at OAU in 1989 and later a master’s and doctorate at UNC Chapel Hill Eshelman School of Pharmacy in 1994 and 1997, respectively.
Her keynote address was entitled “Evolving digital innovations: new opportunities for the practice and business.” Via videoconference from her ACPHS office, she urged the audience in Nigeria and around the world to embrace technological changes that could potentially alter pharmaceutical treatments, such as gene therapy, artificial intelligence and new medical devices, and evolving roles for pharmacists amid such change.
Referred to as a “global star,” President Tofade was also named Goodwill Ambassador by the Great Ife Pharmacy Alumni Association (GIPAA), authorizing her to represent faculty and alumni of OAU. In what appeared to be a surprise to the president, her mother was called forward to accept the award on her behalf.
The president had acknowledged her mother’s presence in the audience before delivering her keynote, stating she wished to express her gratitude publicly.
“Thank you for your sacrifice for the family,” President Tofade said to her mother. “Thank you for your love for each and every one of us. Thank you for your prayers daily. Thank you for everything you did for daddy and for being a tremendous wife to a man who had so many roles to play.”
President Tofade’s father was Professor Abayomi Sofowora who served as dean, faculty of pharmacy at OAU, formerly known as University of Ife. Professor Sofowora, who inspired President Tofade to pursue a career in pharmacy, also received a posthumous award during the Diamond Jubilee for his service to the Institution.
The University’s pharmacy students also presented the president with a portrait of her that they had created. The president raised her hands to her heart when thanking the group for the award and personal gift.