The life and legacy of Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi, late publisher of Pharmanews, were celebrated on Thursday, 11 September 2025, at a solemn service of songs held in his honour at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, GRA Ikeja.
The event, presided over by the Bishop of Lagos West, Rt. Rev. James O. Odedeji, was attended by his widow, Lady Joan Atueyi, a distinguished nurse, alongside other family members, friends, and associates.
The first lesson, taken from Ecclesiastes 3:1–15, was read by his daughter, Mrs Uche Dibor, while the second lesson, from Romans 8:31–39, was read by his first son, Dozie Ifeanyi Atueyi.
Dignitaries from across the country, including captains of industry, leaders of institutions, academics, clergy, politicians, and healthcare experts, also graced the service.
In their tributes, former Minister of Health and Foundation President of NAPharm, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, described Atueyi as a bossom friend and a man of integrity. He spoke warmly of their decades-long friendship, noting that Atueyi’s honesty, loyalty, and deep faith enriched all who came close to him, while his legacy extended beyond Pharmacy into national life and Christian service.
The President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Pharm. Tanko Ayuba, ably represented by the Immediate Past President, Prof. Cyril Usifoh, hailed him as a pioneer of pharmaceutical journalism. According to him, Atueyi lived a life of integrity, providing an example for younger professionals to emulate.
Mr John Erinne, his nephew, spoke of his humility and discipline, noting that Atueyi was consistent in his devotion to God and steadfast in upholding family unity.
The DMGS Old Boys Association’s spokes person, Barr Nelson Ako Okoli, described him as a proud alumnus whose achievements brought honour to the institution, highlighting Atueyi’s loyalty to his alma mater and enduring friendships within the DMGS fraternity.
Also paying tribute, the Chairman, Orange Group, Sir Anthony Ezenna, ably represented by Pharm. (Mrs) Ebele Ojukwu, described Atueyi as an exemplary professional whose integrity and quiet strength stood out in the business world. She said his relationships within the industry were marked by fairness, dignity, and humility.
Similarly, Mr Sunny Beyioku of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International (FGBMF) recalled Atueyi’s active participation in the fellowship and his witness as a Christian businessman. He urged others to carry forward the example he set in combining professional excellence with spiritual conviction.
Delivering the sermon, the officiating minister drew from John 17:3, stressing that eternal life is knowing God through His Son Jesus Christ. He urged Christians to live lives guided by faith, integrity, and godliness, as exemplified by the late Atueyi.
The service, filled with hymns, prayers, and solemn reflections, affirmed Sir Atueyi’s enduring legacy as a pharmacist, publisher, Christian leader, and mentor whose impact spanned family, profession, and the nation at large.
Also well represented at the event were professional and regulatory bodies, including the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAPharm), Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigerian Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) the Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP), the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), the Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN), the National Association of Pharmacists in Academia (NAPA), and the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (WAPCP), among others.
