Dr Stella Okoli shares her inspiring pharmacy legacy during a World Pharmacists Day webinar, highlighting integrity, innovation, and medicine security

Dr Stella Okoli, Founder and Group Managing Director of the Emzor Group, reaffirmed her inspiring pharmacy legacy during a live webinar organised by Zolon Healthcare Ltd. in celebration of World Pharmacists Day 2025.

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The event took place on Thursday, 25 September, at the Executive Conference Hall of Emzor’s state-of-the-art Sagamu manufacturing campus, where pharmacists across Nigeria joined virtually to hear her remarkable reflections.

Over 500 pharmacists participated in the interactive session, moderated by Pharm. Bello Achilike and Pharm. Maureen-Freda Anike, who guided an engaging conversation that captured Dr Okoli’s passion, resilience, and unwavering belief in the transformative power of pharmacy.

A trailblazer of more than four decades, she spoke candidly about integrity, innovation, youth empowerment, and the need for bold leadership within the sector.

Dr Okoli reminded attendees that success remains open to anyone willing to embrace hard work and vision.

She emphasised that gender must never be regarded as a barrier to achievement, adding that determination and God’s grace continue to shape her journey.

Her inspiring pharmacy legacy was evident as she revealed her ongoing mission to guarantee access to authentic, affordable medicines.

She explained that Zolon Healthcare has deliberately ensured that 70 to 80 percent of its medicines are locally manufactured, a strategy she described as essential for Nigeria’s pathway to medicine security.

The revelation sparked renewed optimism among participants, many of whom expressed appreciation for her fearless advocacy of local production.

The webinar reinforced Emzor’s reputation for excellence and its commitment to elevating the pharmacy profession.

It also highlighted the indispensable role pharmacists play in public health and national development, a message that resonated powerfully throughout the session.

Closing with one of her signature mantras, Dr Okoli offered a simple yet powerful reminder of her ethos: “Hard work doesn’t kill, and the reward for hard work is more work.”