By DADA AYOKHAI
The Etsako community in Minna, Niger State capital is in deep mourning over the death of one of their illustrious son, Pharmacist Benjamin Alenoghena .
The late Alenoghena hails from the Ayogwiri community in Uzairue, Etsako West local government area.
As soon as the news of the death of the amiable and accomplished pharmacist broke a few days ago, there was shock and grief among the Etsako community in Minna as there was no sign of his being sick or illdisposed until his sudden death
He is to be laid to rest in his hometown, Ayogwiri on Friday, September 8, .
Sequel to his body being committed to the mother earth, a Christian Mass and funeral service will hold at the st Matthew Catholic Church in Ayogwiri where he used to worship anytime he was at home.
The late Alenoghena was a popular business figure in the Minna metropolis during his lifetime.
His pharmaceutical outfit, ALEB. Pharmaceutical, a name he coined abbreviating his surname and first name, is the number one spot in the metropolis for people wanting to procure high-quality, original, and affordable drugs
The pharmaceutical outfit deals in basic drugs as well as dispensing and manufacturing of children’s syrup
The first of the eight children of his parents, the late pharmacist witnessed constant interruption of his primary education due to the frequent transfer of his late father who, as a school headmaster, was often on the move from one location to the other.
He began his primary education in Ivhiebua, near Agenebode, Etsako East local government, and then transferred to St. Phillips Primary School, Jattu, and finally completed at St. Lizerian Primary School, Ihiebve.
After his secondary education at the Azama College, Otuo, in Owan, between 1971 and 1975, he gained admission to study Pharmacy at the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, and graduated top of his class in 1982. In addition, he won the “George Iketubosun” Memorial Prize” as the best graduating student in Pharmaceutical Chemistry.
He then proceeded to the same institution in 1987 to obtain his Master of Science (M. Sc) in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, with special focus on Pharmaceutical Analysis
He took a leap of faith and decided to sojourn to a newfound land, leaving behind family ties and acquaintances to sojourn to Minna where he was offered a job in a fledging pharmaceutical company, Surgical Coy Ltd., as the Quality Control Manager
The job did offer some rewarding challenges which he gladly took with both hands. As the QCM, he was deeply involved in setting up the factory. He was promoted Factory/Operations Manager and later to Production Manager.
The Catholic devout and also a knight of St. Mulumba later, in the year 2000, founded ALEB Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of ALEB Nig Ltd., which engaged in the production of children syrups.
Given the turbulence as well as the flip-flop in the Nigerian business environment, Sir Benjamin Osiregbemeh Alenoghena slaved to grow the company where he served as its Managing Director/Chairman until his demise
He bore various aliases during his lifetime. In his secondary school days, he was fondly called “Ben Black” as a result of his athletic feats. He won several athletic laurels in the 100m, 200m, and relay races while also serving as the Sacristan prefect of Azama College, Otuo.
At the university, his alias transformed to “Alen Ben”.
The likable Alenoghena was one of the pillars of the Etsako community in Minna. He spent a great deal of his resources and time trying to organize and provide direction to the Etsako community in Niger State. He was also involved in popping up other charitable societies that provide succour and relief to those in need
The vibrancy that the Etsako community enjoys in the state owes a lot to his efforts. As a result of his sociable and charitable nature.
Surely, the entire Etsako community in Niger State will miss his Midas touch as well as verve
