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Founder, Prince JULIUS ADELUSI-ADELUYI Tells City People
The company name Juli Pharmacy is one that attracts instant nods of respect and acknowledgement anywhere it is mentioned. Everyone knows Juli Pharmacy. Their outlets are spread across many states in Nigeria. It is one of the most popular pharmaceutical outlets in the country. It is a name people have absolute trust in when it comes to quality, unadulterated yet affordable drugs. For over 50 years Juli Pharmacy has remained reputable in providing services in the retail of pharmaceutical products. It has enjoyed the goodwill and trust of the people and has shown resilience surviving for over 50 years in a business climate that is most erratic and unpredictable. Juli Pharmacy has gone on to extend its health care delivery services by including laboratory, supermarket, and water.
Let us tell you more about this flourishing pharmarceutical brand that has continued to defy all odds and stand the test of time. Many do not know that Juli Pharmacy is the first indegenously quoted company on the Nigerrian Stock Exchange. Its one of the most revered and community pharmacy in Nigeria. Juli Plc markets a range of pharmaceutical products to the wholesale and retail sectors in Nigeria. The company also owns and operates its own supermarkets and trading stores. Juli Pharmacy Plc originally marketed international pharmaceutical brands but diversified its positioning to produce its own brands of products. The company has its head office is in Lagos.
Juli Pharmacy remains a national leader in retail pharmacy, touching lives every day through dispensing and distributing medicines, via retail locations and digital platforms. The company has over 50 years of trusted healthcare heritage and innovation in community pharmacy. Juli Pharmacy is one of the largest purchasers of prescription drugs and many other health and wellbeing products. The company’s size, scale and expertise have helped in positioning for expansion in the supply chain of pharmaceutical products in Nigeria.
Let us tell you about the man who founded Juli Pharmacy. His name is Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi. He is a man that represents different things to many people. Call him a man of multiple firsts and you won’t be wrong. A charming gentleman, a distinguished Nigerian by any parameter, Prince Julius Adeluisi – Adeluyi is an accomplished Pharmacist and Lawyer. A pioneer student at the department of Pharmacy, University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University); pioneer President of the Nigerian Academy of Pharmacy; Founder and Chairman of the first indigenously promoted company quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange; a Founding and distinguished Fellow of the Institute of Directors (DFIoD) (Nigeria); the first District Governor of Rotary District 911, Prince Julius Adewale Adelusi-Adeluyi, OFR, mni, has exceled in everything he touched.
When you talk about men who have aged gracefully, then look no further than Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi. Let us tell you for free that this incredibly brilliant octogenarian will be 84 years old in a couple of weeks, come this August. Yet, he still stands tall and with a gait of confidence when he walks. At almost 84, he walks unaided. But that is not the striking part.He is very alert mentally. His mind is still sharp. His thought process is absolutely uinhindered by his age. His voice is still very clear, strong and with a soothing tone to it. He has remained articulate and his English is still very impeccable. And one more thing, this almost 84 years old grand father still looks every inch as dashing as he looked several years ago. His light complexion still glistens and his white native Agbada outfit, which he wore to the investiture of Rotarian Femi Adenekan two Saturdays ago where this interview took place, gave him a regal look that was befitting of his Royal background.
At the installation of Rotarian Femi Adenekan as the first District Governor of Rotary district 9112, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, a man regarded as the Doyen of Rotary Club in Nigeria was the cynosure of all eyes. He was Chairman of the occasion and he also took his place of pride as the first Rotary District Governor in Nigeria. Everyone who mattered in the hall gravitated towards him. Everyone wanted to say hi to him. Everyone wanted to pay homage to the man they call the Doyen of Rotary Club in Nigeria. Indeed, he is a man loved by all. His accomplishments as a pharmacist, lawyer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, all speak volumes about the enormous success he has made out of life. .
Prince Julius has become a national figure whose philanthropic activities are very well documented, which is why it’s so hard to find anyone who does not have a kind word or two to say about him. What part of his childhood prepared him for who he has become today, we asked him? He adjusted his glasses, a glint of excitement twinkling in his eyes.”Well, I’ve heard people for example saying, a black man is always saying, God, God, God. To them, they believe work works. But I also tell them, work works, prayers work. Prayers are always the icing on the cake, you must work and pray, believing there is a level above you, and that level is what you want to look at. The Divine level. I will say to you that, as far as I am concerned, everybody has a mission, a message to fulfil, to carry. I am sent to this world to carry a message and I can’t help myself to provide service to people and any medium would help. Rotary is only one of them. There are other media where I have the opportunity of doing things. I am wired to provide service in various ways which I am doing through various organizations that I belong to. It has given me the opportunity to touch lives and I am grateful to God for that even with the enterprise called Juli. Though it is not a roaring enterprise in terms of generating big-time money, but it has given me a platform to provide service for generations. I thank God and I feel fulfilled.”
“My background also played a crucial role molding me into who I am today. I was brought up by my parents and guardians. I grew up with the missionaries such as reverend fathers, bishops in the Catholic Church. There were very simple standards but with a lot of attention to details and that get into you. My parents, my guardians and the environment shaped me. And of course, the various degrees that I have acquired also played very significant roles. For me, when God gives you contentment, the rest is easy. I mean, in every situation, count your blessings and believe there is no cause for alarm,” he added.
There is one question this writer has always wanted to ask him, how has been able to maintain his handsome look after all these years, still looking as dashing as he looked many years ago? He does not even look anything near his actual age, what is the secret of his youthful look? The octogenarian beamed with smiles, and then promptly answred: “Let me simply say, Boluwatife (meaning the way God wants it). If you have a problem, and you’re mature enough, you’re deep enough, Boluwatife. If you’re successful and thanking God, Boluwatife. You heard me say you’re not in the world for a popularity contest, stay focused and do what you have to do.”
“My birthday is only a couple of weeks away, I will be 84 in August. But I don’t like celebrating birthdays. Maybe a few close friends and family members will come around, but nothing elaborate. No party. I rarely throw big parties to celebrate my birthday.”
We also got him to talk a little about Juli Pharmacy. For over five decades and still counting, he has been able to keep the popular Juli Pharmacy running. How has he been able to achieve this? “Well, God has been my strength. Juli Pharmacy is an organization that is simple but offers quality service.”
“Service is our number one priority. Profit can come from it though may not come in volume but what is paramount in our business is quality service delivery and people realize that if you want quality you can go to any length to get it. People come from as far as Ghana to pick up their medicine(s). We are happy with what we have.”
– WALE LAWAL
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