The National Chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Pharm. Ezeh Ambrose Igwekamma, has been conferred with the chieftaincy title of NNA TUBELU UGO I of Umuawulu Kingdom in recognition of his role in strengthening community healthcare delivery.
The honor was bestowed by the Traditional Ruler of Umuawulu, HRM Igwe Dr. Joel Maduadichie Egwuonwu (Eze Udo II), during a ceremony on Saturday, September 27, 2025. The recognition followed the commissioning of a Pharmacare Centre established in the community under the leadership of ACPN.
The facility, located in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, was unveiled as part of ACPN’s 44th Annual Scientific National Conference. Officials described it as a milestone intervention to improve healthcare access in rural areas where residents have long depended on urban centers for quality medical care and essential medicines.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, who represented Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo at the event, formally declared the centre open. He commended ACPN’s vision of advancing pharmaceutical care beyond drug dispensing, describing the initiative as “a progressive model for community health delivery.”
Speaking at the commissioning, Pharm. Ezeh said the project symbolized both innovation and hope. “This center represents a dream turned into reality—an investment in health, wellness, and hope,” he said, adding that it was the product of collaboration between professionals, stakeholders, and the host community.
He further explained that the Pharmacare Centre integrates health screenings, preventive care, medication counseling, and access to essential medicines under one roof, aligning with ACPN’s mission to reposition community pharmacies as trusted healthcare institutions.
During the chieftaincy title presentation, Ezeh expressed gratitude to the community for the honor, stressing that leadership is measured by the impact on people’s lives. “This honor is not just for me; it symbolizes the achievements we can accomplish as a community united in service,” he remarked.
The recognition, observers say, underscores the growing role of pharmacists in Nigeria’s health sector and signals a model that could be replicated in underserved communities nationwide.