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Victor Ehiemua and The Pharmacy: 20 years on, and counting...!

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Without a scintilla of a doubt, Victor Ehiemua, a pharmacist, has brought professional accolades and personal honor, ethical purpose and good sense for the better interests of the USAfrica community, the new, vibrant and emerging community of Africans and Americans. For those, among other reasons, he will count among the other distinguished few: honorees (men and women, Africans and Americans), public service-minded and worthy ambassadors who will, equally, be honored at the USAfrica 9th Anniversary events on May 10, 2002 in Houston, Texas. He's, in many ways, the quintessential community services and public relations person. No matter the situation, no matter the odds or challenges, his trademark, boyish smile exudes a serene personality. He's a blessing, and we thank God for his life and mission

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Exclusive to USAfrica The Newspaper, Houston
USAfricaonline.com and NigeriaCentral.com

For 20 years, this year, he has been the managing pharmacist/owner of the highly-regarded The Pharmacy in Houston, Texas. He's soft-spoken and accomplished in many ways, as a businessman and family man. I asked this son of a retired pharmacist "What motivates you to come here every day, Victor?" His answer was precise and reflective of his selfless disposition and sense of commitment: to be of service to the community and to give some things back."

Over the years, as he assessed his business and training, he told USAfrica The Newspaper and www.USAfricaonline.com during our exclusive interview that "it's been fun; it's also challenging... it's a profession for which I have a passion for. I enjoy doing it."

Victor graduated in 1980 from the School of Pharmacy at the University of Houston. "I was the only Black student in our class at the first year", he recalls like it was only yesterday. From 1980-82, he worked for pharmacy chain stores/institutions.

With his endurance and growth of his business, I asked him about the overall picture of African community businesses. He notes that "the African community at the beginning was very healthy at the time. As time progressed, we started to have more maturity and health needs; we began to have kids, and the children started to go to schools, and all that. Those factors changed the business and overall outlook of the community."

He is also quick to point out that generally, Africans are not taking good care of themselves, healthwise. "The reason may be that we prefer to take care of ourselves when we're sick; and we are not good at preventive care."

On the limitations our community and its adults place on each other for not having health insurance, he said the "dangers are immense" but argues "regardless of the modest costs, we should all have regular health check ups. Some feel they cannot really get the best healthcare without insurance and paying too much money. But they can by doing low cost physical/check up."

As we were chatting in his office on Southwest Freeway (off Hillcroft), two of her interns were acquainting themselves with certain issues.

I asked one of them 'Pelu Odufowokan, a certified pharmacy tech, her assessment of the work environment. Remarkably, it was her first day; she said "it's fantastic, and I've enjoyed, so far."

'Keji Akinde, TSU 5th year Pharmacology student in rotation internship program added "It's been a nice experience to see and be involved in how to run an independent pharmacy."

The Pharmacy has provided internship since 1982 for different schools of pharmacy and allied health schools for their pharmacy technicians. Since that time, they get at least 5 interns every year.

Mr. Ehiemua is actively supportive of community projects and events.

His friend and customer John Shanu told me that "Victor is an outstanding person; he has devoted a lot of time to this community. We need more people like him."

Many Africans and Americans who know him will concur. Ehiemua cautions the same community that "an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. We ought to be more active in preventive healthcare but I do not see a lot of those. And we need to be more informed. We should all be more aware and give more education."

When I steered our chat towards the growth of the community as whole, he weighs with a cautious "we're improving. Although, a majority of the members of the African community get caught up in the fast lane, which have led to many problematic situations. Some want to be like the Jones and this adds to pressures and bad mistakes, but they forget we came from a different culture."

He warns that "some of our people are trying to change too fast, some have gone so so far away from our community and culture. There are a number of things we need top protect and project as Africans."

On his life's motto, he cites it as: do unto others as you would like them to do unto you!

On his heroes/mentors, reflecting his abiding faith as a christian, he points to his source of strength: "Jesus Christ is my hero; that's who I look up to and depend on." Dr. Simeon Agbolabori, a pastor and scholar and keynote speaker at the 2002 annual USAfrica Prayer Breakfast (January 26, at the Sugarland/Houston Hilton Hotel) notes that "Victor is a distinguished and ethical businessman and a good, christian role model in our community."

In terms of who he calls "my human hero", Victor points to his father (Patrick) who is also a pharmacist. "Since 5 years old I had always wished to be like him because I liked the way he treated people." He's 83 years old and his children made him retire in 2000, in Benin City (Edo State) where he managed the Freedom Pharmacy for decades.

Speaking of Nigeria, does he have any concerns about the issue of adulterated drugs in the country of almost 120 million people.

He notes the that "the economic situation and survival instinct have made certain people to be extreme in their ways. Somehow, Nigerians have access to and sell adulterated drugs. Government should control distribution a lot better and make it more readily available to the masses, instead of just the few that can afford them."

The pharmaceutical business is a field that is constantly undergoing changes, yet Mr. Ehiemua does not consider this a problem. "Changes are necessary and they are also good", he says. "Running a business is an ungoing challenge. It has been a roller-coaster, really, but that is what makes it interesting." When running a business, you have to be able to adjust, hence Ehiemua says that "if you cannot adjust, you will not last long. You have to be able to keep up with changes and developments, both within technology and within your particular domain. Pharmacy is a field that is constantly changing; new products are introduced every day, so to speak, and to be able to serve your customer, you will have to be on top of all of this at all times. Changes in laws and regulations regarding health and medical insurance are also areas the pharmacist needs to be well informed about."

A quick bio-sketch shows that he was born on February 10, 1955, in Abeokuta, Ogun State of Nigeria, to Patrick and Victoria Ehiemua. He attended school Edo Government College in Benin, and later came to the U.S.

His professional affiliations include those with the Texas Pharmaceutical Association and the Association of Nigerian Pharmacists, Houston.

He has been married to Janice for 25 years. Victor has 6 children: Romeo, 27 years old (currently working in Houston), Sade (in medical school). She's 22 years old; Sheena (19), Sharad (13), Shahira (9) and my pet name for her is princess) and Shamon. He's 3 years old.

As we chatted and the mid-morning time calls kept coming in, we began to conclude the interview. In closing, he shared his sense of appreciation to "our community for their support. Without the community, as far as the pharmacy is concerned, I wont' be where I am today. Ultimately, you give all the glory to God, and I thank God for using the community to support The Pharmacy."

Without a scintilla of a doubt, Victor Ehiemua has brought professional accolades and personal honor, ethical purpose and good sense for the better interests of the USAfrica community, the new, vibrant and emerging community of Africans and Americans. For those, among other reasons, he will count among the other distinguished few: honorees (men and women, Africans and Americans), public service-minded and worthy ambassadors who will, equally, be honored at USAfrica's 9th Anniversary events on May 10, 2002 in Houston, Texas.

Mark your calendars to network, rub minds, break bread and toast with the cream and fine brass of the African and American communities, that's the real good guys like our own Victor Ehiemua. He's a blessing, and we thank God for his life and mission! Stay blessed!!

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