Stakeholders in the pharmaceutical sector on Thursday urged members to uphold integrity and preserve the enduring legacy of the late Founder of Pharmanews, Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi.
They spoke at the maiden edition of the Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi Memorial Lecture with the theme: “Legacy Beyond Life: Leadership, Integrity, and the Power of Enduring Impact”.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme is a platform to honour the legacy and profound imprint Atueyi left on the pharmaceutical and healthcare landscape in Nigeria.
Delivering the keynote speech, Prof. Lere Baale, the President of Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, said integrity remained the enduring foundation of leadership and legacy.
Baale said the programme was not merely organised to remember Atueyi, but to celebrate a life defined by integrity, vision, leadership and enduring contributions to society.
According to him, greatness is measured not by longevity but by the impact individuals make and the values they leave behind for society after their lifetime.
The speaker recalled how teachers inspired his passion for learning, saying their encouragement shaped his desire to share knowledge and dedicate his life to teaching others.
“Today, we have not gathered merely to remember him.
“We have gathered to reflect upon his life, celebrate his legacy and draw inspiration from his journey of vision, integrity and service.
“Legacy is not measured by possessions or titles but by contributions that transformed people, institutions and professions for generations after one’s lifetime.
“We must live intentionally because in every action, we always leave records that shape how society remember us long after they are gone,” he said
The President described the late Atueyi as a visionary who recognised the importance of information in advancing healthcare.
He said Pharmanews over the years gave pharmacists a credible voice and served as a platform for strengthening professional communication
He commended Atueyi’s family for instituting the annual memorial lecture, describing the initiative as a worthy platform for preserving the late publisher’s ideals and inspiring future generations.
According to him, success and legacy are different, explaining that success focuses on personal achievements while legacy reflects lasting contributions benefiting future generations.
“Success is measured by what we accumulate, while legacy is measured by what we contribute. Success may fill our lives, but legacy fills generations and the is what Atueyi did during his lifetime.,” he said.
He said Atueyi built institutions of ideas rather than physical structures, creating platforms that advanced pharmacy communication, advocacy, professional visibility and knowledge sharing across generations.
Speaking earlier, a former Minister of Health, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, said the late Atueyi’s legacy remained a source of inspiration for leadership, integrity and service.
Adelusi-Adeluyi said the theme of the event reflected the values by which the late publisher, who he described as a close friend of over 50 decades, lived throughout his distinguished career.
“He was a pharmacist of excellence, diligent in his work and that diligence made him an outstanding editor and professional.
” Atueyi’s meticulous approach to editing was superb, he carefully corrects punctuation, balanced sentences and ensured clarity before approving any document,” he said.
Adelusi-Adeluyi, who is also the Chairman of Juli PlC, also urged Nigerians not to lose hope in spite of prevailing economic challenges, advising them to work hard and create opportunities for themselves.
Also, the immediate Past President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Ahmed Yakassi, described the late pharmacist as a bridge builder who united professionals across the pharmaceutical sector.
Yakassi recalled that Atueyi played a pivotal role in reconnecting veteran pharmacists who had become disengaged from the profession, encouraging them to return and contribute to the growth and development of the sector.
Speaking earlier, Mr Dozie Atueyi, the Executive Director of Pharmanews Ltd, said the memorial lecture was put together to honour his late father who he described as a remarkable individual.
Atueyi said his contributions over the years continued to influence healthcare, pharmaceutical practice and health journalism in Nigeria.
He said the publisher championed credible health information dissemination through Pharmanews for over four decades while promoting professional excellence and encouraging dialogue among healthcare practitioners.
“His commitment to unwavering truth, innovation and nation-building earned him respect from colleagues, industry leaders, policymakers and professionals whose careers he positively influenced over the years.
“His journey reminds us that true leadership is not measured merely by achievements but by the positive and lasting impact we make on people, institutions and society,” he said.
“As we reflect on his life and legacy today, may we be challenged to build institutions that outlive us, lead with integrity, serve with humility, and leave behind footprints that will continue to benefit humanity for generations to come,” he said.
NAN reports that the late Atueyi, a native of Okija in Anambra, graduated with a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University.
He worked with Pfizer, the West Africa Drug Company, the Federal Ministry of Health and Nigeria Chemical service.
He founded Pharmanews in 1979 and died at the age of 85 on July 16, 2025.
A memorial trust named after him was also unveiled at the event with the mission to preserve his value and extend his legacy by equipping people, empowering communities and transforming lives.(NAN)
