PANS WEEK 2025 IGNITES LEGACY OF SADE OLAFIMIHAN WITH THRILLING INTER-FACULTY DEBATE

 THE AWO TIMES

Campus News | May 21, 2025




PANS WEEK 2025 IGNITES LEGACY OF SADE OLAFIMIHAN WITH THRILLING INTER-FACULTY DEBATE 


In continuous celebration of the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students (PANS) Week, OAU Chapter, Day 2, the Faculty held a commemorative debate in honour of a star that will continue to shine in their hearts: the Sade Olafimihan Inter-Faculty Debate, which took place at the ICT Conference Hall, OAU.

This event is held yearly to uphold the memory of the renowned legend, Sade Olafimihan. Sade was recognised for her industrious and dynamic impact in the Faculty and demonstrated this through her visionary and strong leadership role as the first and only female President of the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students (PANS), OAU.

The revered event commenced with an opening prayer, followed by an enthusiastic recitation of the OAU anthem. The host then introduced the speakers for the event: Pharm. Adejuwon Oteleja, CEO of Kanymed Healthcare; and Pharm. Folashade Lawal, CEO of Victory Drugs.

The event progressed with a speech from the first speaker, Pharm. Folashade Lawal, who addressed the topic “The Future of Healthcare: Smart Personalised Healthcare.” In her speech, she emphasised the significance of technology and innovation in advancing the pharmaceutical industry. She urged the students not to be limited to practical knowledge alone but to also acquire creative skills, as that is the future. She noted the importance of collaboration and networking as tools for continuous growth in the industry.

She concluded her speech with the words of Robert Greene, who stated that “The future belongs to those who learn more skills and combine them in creative ways.”

The second speaker, Pharm. Adejuwon Oteleja, gave a brief history of the honourable Sade Olafimihan and explained why the debate continues to be upheld by students of the Faculty, even over two decades after her passing. His speech shed more light on the importance of the debate, not just for the Faculty of Pharmacy but also for students of other faculties. He stated that the vision is to elevate the event from an inter-faculty debate to an inter-school platform that continually upholds Sade’s legacy while fostering connectivity, recognition, and networking for the Faculty.

To maintain the energy of the event, the game “Mr Simon Says” was played. Volunteers were randomly selected and asked to perform tasks as instructed by “Mr Simon,” while the audience served as judges. This fun activity helped re-energise the room and uplift the audience’s spirit.

Next came the debate proper. The formalities of the event were outlined by Dr. Dapo Jegede, Head of the Department of Clinical Pharmacy, OAU. This inter-faculty debate featured four faculties: the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Pharmacy, and the Faculty of Technology.

Each faculty tackled powerful and insightful topics. The speakers took to the stage with well-reasoned and articulated arguments, keeping the audience engaged. Each faculty presented two speakers. At the end of the first round, the judges offered feedback and announced the results:

- 4th Place – Faculty of Technology: 49.3%
- 3rd Place – Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences: 68.3%
- 2nd Place – Faculty of Pharmacy: 72.7%
- 1st Place – Faculty of Law: 75.8%

The second round followed an oratory format. Each faculty presented a speaker to argue a topic given just five minutes before going on stage. This challenge placed the speakers in a high-pressure situation, further captivating the audience. Using the judges' earlier corrections, the speakers delivered compelling arguments.

The aggregate results were then announced:

- 4th Place – Faculty of Technology: 52.0%
- 3rd Place – Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences: 68.7%
- 2nd Place – Faculty of Pharmacy: 78.4%
- 1st Place – Faculty of Law: 78.6%

The Faculty of Law won the Sade Inter-Faculty Debate 2025, receiving a cash prize of ₦50,000.

Awards were presented to sponsors of this remarkable event, including Emzor Pharmaceutical Company (presented to their representative, Soneye Saheed) and the Sade Olafimihan Class (presented to the President, Alabi Oyinlola Taofeek).

The event concluded with a speech of appreciation from the Editor-in-Chief for the PANS Week programme. Awards were presented to some of the organisers, as well as appreciation extended to all attendees.

This event was more than just a debate; it fostered inter-faculty connectivity and networking. Every activity—from the guest speakers’ speeches to every point, view, and reflection of each debater—reflected the values and attributes of the Faculty’s renowned legend, Sade Olafimihan!


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