Skip to main content

Judge's Remarks

We asked our judges to comment on the entries, noting where the entrants did well and avenues for improvement.

Read Pharm AbdulWaarith's remarks below:

The joy of essay competitions is in realising the diversity of excellent opinions and viewpoints. That this competition recorded only so many entries is a little disheartening. In any case, it is to be taken in stride and worked on, so subsequent competitions attract much more submissions.

Before commenting on the quality of the entries, I want to commend all participants. From my experience, it is not easy to get in a submission for these kinds of competitions. That one is able to pen something down and send it in is impressive. I only hope the entrants, and indeed other people, are able to find the inspiration to do as new avenues surface.

A significant number of entries simply failed to hit the mark as regards the content of their essays. This is likely due to a skewed interpretation of the essay topic. Some entries focused on one part of the topic more than the other, particularly the ‘Muslim’ part, while neglecting the nation building aspect. All parts of an essay topic are to be taken together, in equal measure, to be able to craft something that addresses the topic insightfully.

Then comes the grammar, punctuation and spelling parts. There needs to be just as much energy put into writing the essay as in editing. Then again, it is one thing to edit actively, it is another thing to identify mistakes and know how to correct them. For this, I have one piece of advice. Learn to read. Read widely, read voraciously. It enriches the mind, builds vocabulary, makes one more expressive, and allows one to avoid those pesky mistakes that come with writing. 

I believe there is, at least, a takeaway for every entrant in this essay competition, including the eventual winners. Use it to your advantage.

Salaam ‘alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatu
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Pharmacy Beyond the Counter Iss 1

  Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh . We begin in the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muḥammad (S.A.W.), his family, his companions, and all who follow their path. We pray that Allah makes this new publication a means of knowledge, benefit, and service to our communities, and that He accepts it from all who contribute to it. Aameen. Pharmacy Beyond the Counter What Does It Mean to Go “Beyond the Counter”? Pharmacy Beyond the Counter is a fresh, bi-weekly publication of PMSSN national Secretariat (University of Ilorin) dedicated to showcasing the evolving, multifaceted role of the pharmacists in Nigeria and beyond. In every issue, we will shine a light on the unseen dimensions of pharmacy practice, clinical care, public health, research, leadership, and service, and reconnect these roles to our rich Islamic heritage of knowledge and compassion. Our aim:   To inspire Muslim pharmacy st...
Post a Comment
Read more

PHARMACY BEYOND THE COUNTER ISSUE 6 (DECEMBER, 2025)

 Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. We begin in the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), his family, his companions, and all who follow their path with sincerity. In this issue of Pharmacy Beyond the Counter, we explore a topic that is rapidly shaping the future of healthcare: telepharmacy . As the world moves deeper into the digital age, technology is reshaping not just how we live, but how we seek care, access health information, and interact with healthcare professionals. Among these emerging innovations, telepharmacy stands out as one of the most transformative— bridging gaps, expanding access, and redefining what pharmacy practice can look like in our evolving world. THE RISE OF TELEPHARMACY W ith technology advancing at a pace faster than ever before, the world of healthcare is evolving alongside it, moving toward a global shift that continues to reshap...
Post a Comment
Read more

Pharmacy Beyond the Counter Issue 5 (November 26, 2025)

 Pharmacists Roles in Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. We begin in the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW), his family, his companions, and all who follow their path with sincerity. Alhamdulillah, welcome to the fifth issue of Pharmacy Beyond the Counter, a publication committed to showcasing the depth and responsibility of our noble profession. In this journey, we have explored counselling, community engagement, and the unseen duties that make pharmacy a calling rooted in service and integrity. In this issue, we turn our attention to a global health threat that grows silently every day: antimicrobial resistance . As pharmacists and pharmacy students, this is not just another scientific topic; it is an urgent amanah. How we respond today could determine the safety of future generations. Understanding the Weight of Antimicrobial Resistance Antimicr...
Post a Comment
Read more