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By Lolu Ojo
The Nigerian pharmaceutical landscape mourns the passage of a rare gem, Sir Christopher Ifeanyi Atueyi, a titan, who for over five decades stood tall in the profession as a mentor, visionary, benefactor and godly leader. He passed away at the age of 85, just months before what would have been his 86th birthday.
A man of purpose and legacy
Sir Atueyi was not only the publisher and founder of Pharmanews, Nigeria’s foremost pharmaceutical and health journal, he was its soul. He was a founding voice in pharmaceutical journalism and since its establishment in 1979, Pharmanews has become an authoritative platform for industry professionals, chronicling the challenges, innovations, and triumphs of healthcare in Nigeria.
His life was a masterclass in purpose-driven living, a shining example of how one man, grounded in faith and guided by values, could shape a profession, influence generations, and leave behind an unshakable legacy.
I met Sir Atueyi as a young pharmacy student in the 1980s, during a Pharmacy Week event in Ife where he served as keynote speaker and I was the President of the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students, PANS. He came to the faculty with his magnificent camera hug around his neck and took shots of everything and everywhere possibly with the rushing reflections on his time as a student in the same school. Even then, his humility, brilliance, and quiet strength struck a chord. Since that moment, my life and practice have continually intersected with his, as an admirer, mentee, collaborator, and friend.
What endeared Sir Atueyi to all who encountered him was not just his intellect or achievements, but his spirit. He was deeply humble, genuinely kind, and profoundly committed to doing good, not for applause, but because it was right.
Professional excellence and integrity
Whether serving as a keynote or motivational speaker, mentoring young professionals, commissioning projects, supporting the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, and her technical groups, particularly the Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria, NAIP, or leading initiatives through the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAPharm), he remained consistent: accessible, authentic, and always anchored in God.
He did not merely report on the profession; he helped to shape it. Through Pharmanews, he gave voice to the challenges and triumphs of pharmacists and health professionals. He nurtured talents. He upheld values. He created a community. He became a pillar.
He had every opportunity to commercialize his influence but instead chose to protect the integrity of his platform and his person. When I once worked with him to review Pharmanews’ business model, it was clear that the paper was not just a publication, it was a ministry.
In addition to his journalistic work, Sir Atueyi was also a prolific author. He published several books that combined professional insights with faith-based reflections, offering guidance to both pharmacists and the wider public. His writings often addressed themes of integrity, purposeful living, and service, embodying the principles he lived by. Through his books, he ensured that his experiences, values, and lessons would continue to inspire readers long after his lifetime.
Even at advanced age, Sir Atueyi remained sharp, energetic, and ever youthful in outlook. He participated in meetings with unmatched punctuality. His wit was always ready. His encouragement, unwavering.
He was more than a pharmacist; he was a father to the profession. He was more than a publisher; he was a builder of platforms. He was more than a leader; he was a servant of purpose.
A life anchored in faith
Beyond pharmacy, Sir Atueyi was deeply devoted to his Christian faith. For many years, he was a strong and active member of the Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship International (FGBMF). He served in official capacities within the Fellowship, where his leadership, testimonies, and quiet evangelism touched countless lives. To him, the Fellowship was an avenue to share God’s goodness, mentor professionals, and show that success in business and life must be anchored in spiritual values. Many who met him through the Fellowship can testify to the warmth of his faith, the depth of his counsel, and the simplicity with which he shared the gospel.
A community leader at home and abroad
His influence extended beyond professional circles into the wider community. In Lagos, he was a respected elder and community leader, always ready to lend his wisdom to neighborhood associations, church groups, and professional networks. In his hometown of Okija, Anambra State, Sir Atueyi was not just a prominent son of the soil but a rallying point for progress and unity. He contributed to community development initiatives, encouraged education, and remained closely connected to his roots despite his many national engagements. He showed by example that true leadership is measured not by titles, but by service to people at the grassroots.
Even in his later years, Sir Atueyi served as a rallying point for senior pharmacists, particularly those above 80 years of age. He created spaces for them to connect, reflect, and continue to contribute to the profession they loved. He will visit them in their homes and offices to recreate the passion of their youthful period, eat, playing games and laughing together. His passion for keeping these bonds alive demonstrated his belief that no one is ever too old to add value, inspire, or be celebrated.
A family man to the core
Sir Atueyi’s greatness was also evident in his personal life. He was a loving husband and devoted father, who shared an unshakable bond with his wife and children. His marriage was one of companionship, respect, and mutual support. To his children, he was not only a father but also a mentor and spiritual guide, instilling in them the same values of faith, integrity, and service that defined his own life. He balanced his immense professional responsibilities with tender devotion at home, proving that success is hollow if it is not anchored in love and family.
A legacy that lives on
Today, as we mourn, we must also celebrate. We celebrate a life that was well lived, full of meaning, faith, and impact. We celebrate a man who refused to be ordinary. We celebrate a legacy that challenges each of us to do more, give more, and live more intentionally.
To his beloved nuclear family, the extended family and the broader Pharmanews family, I extend my deepest condolences. To the Nigerian pharmaceutical community, I am in this boat with you and share in your grief. A guiding light has gone dim, but his brilliance lives on in all of us.
Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi has finished his course. He has fought the good fight. He has kept the faith. And now, a crown awaits him, not from men, but from the Master he served so faithfully.
Adieu, our dear Sir.
May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace.
•Dr. Lolu Ojo FPSN
