Tributes as Institutions, Stakeholders Mourn Sir Atueyi

– Funeral set for 19 September in Okija, Anambra State

The Nigerian pharmaceutical community is in mourning, following the death of Pharm. (Sir) Ifeanyi Atueyi, founder and publisher of Pharmanews. The revered voice of the profession for nearly 50 years died peacefully on 15 July 2025, aged 85. His passing marks the end of an era in the nation’s health and pharmaceutical history, but his influence resonates through the countless professionals he served, taught, mentored and inspired.

For over four decades, Sir Atueyi was more than a pharmacist. He was a chronicler of the profession’s journey, a guardian of its ethics, and a bridge between generations. He gave Pharmacy in Nigeria a public voice and, in doing so, helped shape the way Nigerians – and indeed West Africans – perceived healthcare. His work was not only about reporting news; it was about shaping narratives, building pride in the profession, and preserving the legacies of those who came before.

The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) described his passing as a monumental loss to the profession and the country. In a tribute signed by its Registrar/CEO, Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, the Council called him “more than just a pharmacist; he was a visionary, a trailblazer, and a relentless advocate for the advancement of our profession and healthcare.” The PCN recalled his generosity, particularly his decision to give the Council a free column in Pharmanews to address regulatory issues, a gesture that has kept pharmacists across the country informed and engaged.

“We know that his presence, guidance, and impactful contributions will be greatly missed,” the statement read. “But his legacy will make us better and help us fulfil our God-given purpose.”

The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) described Sir Atueyi as a devoted pharmacist, media giant and visionary, who identified early the critical importance of communication in shaping healthcare delivery and professional identity.

In a statement signed by its President, Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, the PSN said: “As a cherished media partner of the PSN, Sir Atueyi worked closely with successive leaderships of the Society, most recently under the stewardship of Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, FPSN, the current President. His partnership was not limited to reporting activities; he was an active collaborator, offering strategic insight, historical perspective, and moral guidance that enriched the vision and mission of our Society.”

The PSN added that “his support was instrumental in promoting key PSN events and initiatives, and the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, where he played leadership roles and mentored younger professionals.”

The Lagos State Branch of PSN equally mourned the Pharmanews founder as a father figure. The Chairman, Pharm. Babayemi Oyekunle, described him as “a titan of our profession” whose foresight created a platform that became pharmacy’s voice. “While his physical presence will be sorely missed, his spirit, his teachings, and his enduring contributions will continue to guide and inspire us,” he said.

Those who knew Sir Atueyi say the signs were there. His absence from the last Board of Fellows meeting did not go unnoticed, and some feared something was amiss. Now, that uneasy silence has turned into grief. For decades, his voice – in editorials, speeches, and quiet counsel – had been a constant presence. His pen was never idle, his perspective always sought, and his encouragement freely given to both the young and the seasoned.

Prof. Chinedum Peace Babalola, former vice-chancellor of Chrisland University, described him as “one man who turned the pharmacy world upside down and up,” someone who celebrated not only the profession but also the people behind it. She praised his innovative mind, unshakable Christian values, and commitment to honouring pioneers. “We’ve lost not just a man, but an era, a legacy, and a voice that resonated with many,” she said, urging that an annual lecture be established in his name to keep his legacy alive for future generations.

Born on 1 October 1939, Sir Atueyi’s odyssey epitomised a life full of purpose, resilience, and service. In 1979, he realised that Pharmacy lacked a dedicated professional media platform. In response, he founded Pharmanews. What began as a daring idea has become an internationally-acclaimed pharmaceutical and healthcare journal, documenting not just the science but also the spirit of the profession.

Under his leadership, Pharmanews became a living record of Pharmacy’s triumphs, challenges, and transformations. It connected stakeholders, celebrated excellence, and confronted ethical lapses with the courage of a man who believed truth-telling was an act of service.

Prof. Lere Baale, president of the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, called the publication “a movement, a mirror reflecting the aspirations, challenges, and triumphs of pharmacists, healthcare workers, and policymakers.” And at the heart of it, Baale noted, was a man whose pen “was dipped in wisdom” and whose life blended professionalism with a sense of divine calling.

Sir Atueyi was a Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, and the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists. He was also a Knight of the Order of Saint Christopher (KSC). Yet he wore these honours lightly, seeing them as platforms for service. His faith was not just a compartment of his life but its very foundation. He often said his career was a ministry, and he lived accordingly.

In his books, speeches, and columns, he wove together professional insight and spiritual wisdom. He believed integrity was non-negotiable, that service was a calling, and that leadership without humility was hollow. Even in business, he held fast to Christian principles, proving that profitability and morality could walk hand in hand.

One of his enduring passions was recognising the elders of the profession. Through interviews, tributes, and special features, he ensured their stories were told and achievements recorded. By honouring the past, he inspired the present.

As a patron of the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria Students (PANS), his mentorship extended into lecture halls and student congresses. Many young pharmacists recall meeting him for the first time and being struck by his warmth, humility, and willingness to listen. He modelled what it meant to serve with both head and heart.

Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai, former PSN President, remembered him as “a steady, powerful, principled voice” whose partnership with the Society was invaluable. Together, they pushed for reforms, advocated for better policies, and celebrated unsung heroes. Yakasai credited him with amplifying Nigeria’s leadership in pharmacy across Africa, particularly through his support for the Pharma West Africa Exhibition and Conference.

“Even in his later years, when many would have chosen rest, Sir Atueyi continued to inspire with the same intensity, dignity, and grace that defined his life,” Yakasai said.

Those close to him speak of a man who combined entrepreneurial vision with compassion. His discipline was legendary; he lived simply, worked diligently, and prayed fervently – yet remained approachable. At conferences, he could be found chatting with students as readily as with ministers. He never stopped learning and never stopped teaching.

At home, he was a devoted husband to Lady Joan Atueyi, a proud father to five children, and a doting grandfather to 12. In the pharmacy profession, he was a father figure to countless others who sought his counsel.

Sir Atueyi’s impact cannot be measured by the pages of Pharmanews alone. He gave the pharmacy profession a public platform, strengthened its ethical backbone, bridged science and faith, and built institutions that will outlive him. His influence is felt in lecture halls, hospital pharmacies, boardrooms, and the hearts of those he inspired.

As Prof. Baale put it: “His legacy is engraved not just in print, but on hearts.”

To this end, pharmacy leaders at all levels have expressed a firm resolve to keep Sir Atueyi’s mission alive. Proposals for annual memorial lectures, scholarships, and professional awards in his name are already under discussion. These will not be mere commemorations but living projects designed to extend his work in mentoring the young, informing the public, and keeping ethics at the centre of practice.

In a related development, the family of the late pharmacy icon, together with the management of Pharmanews, has released the schedule of activities for his funeral.

The programme begins with an Evening of Tributes, hosted by the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International, on Wednesday, 27 August 2025, at 4:00 p.m., at the Radio Lagos Banquet Hall, 1 Lateef Jakande Road, Ikeja, Lagos. This will be followed by a Service of Songs on Thursday, 11 September 2025, at 5:00 p.m., at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral (AVMCC), 9 Oba Akinjobi Way, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.

A Testimony Night is scheduled for Thursday, 18 September 2025, at 4:00 p.m., at St Peter’s Anglican Church, Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State. The Funeral Service will hold on Friday, 19 September 2025, at 10:00 a.m., also at St Peter’s Anglican Church, Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State.