The funeral of Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi, the late publisher of Pharmanews, turned into an extraordinary moment of history and faith on Friday, 19 September, 2025, at the Basilica of St. Peter Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Instead of delivering a traditional sermon, the presiding Bishop, Rt. Rev. Ndubuisi Obi, chose to play one of Sir Atueyi’s inspirational broadcasts, he had faithfully shared until illness silenced him in his final days.
It was as though Sir Atueyi preached at his own funeral. The recorded message, focused on the futility of earthly pursuits and the eternal value of striving for the crown of righteousness, captured the very essence of the life he lived. The congregation — which included clergy, captains of industry, leaders in Pharmacy, business moguls, politicians, and Christian faithful — rose in a standing ovation, applauding both the message and the messenger, while others mourn the wide gap his demise has created.
In his response, Dozie Ifeanyi Atueyi, his first son, and executive director, Pharmanews Ltd, described the moment as a rare privilege. “I have never seen a preacher deliver his own funeral message,” he said. “But such was the gift my father earned through a life of consistency, courage, and faith. I am grateful to Bishop Obi for choosing that unorthodox yet divine moment. It felt like my father spoke to us one last time.”
The junior Atueyi further prayed that the goodwill his father enjoyed in life would extend to everyone present, while expressing joy at the outpouring of testimonies and goodwill from across professions and communities.
The event, filled with hymns, prayers, and solemn reflections, became more than a farewell. It was a reminder and a challenge to all: What values are we truly living for? Will our words and lives still inspire others when we are gone?
For many in attendance, it was a solemn assembly of deep reflection as his final “sermon” was not just a message for the day, but a call to live purposefully and leave behind a life that continues to speak long after death.
