Sunday Ehigiator

A posthumous lecture and book review held today in honour of renowned human resources pioneer, the late Mazi Christopher Onyeji Enuke, brought together top corporate leaders, academics, and members of the Enuke family to celebrate his legacy and unveil his newly published manuscript, “The Practice of Human Resources Management with Examples from Nigeria.”

The event, themed ‘Examining the Role of Technology in Human Resources Management’, featured a commemorative lecture delivered by the Chief Communications Officer, Access Holdings Plc, Mr. Amaechi Okobi, who represented the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Chief Innocent Ike.

Speaking on behalf of the Access Holdings CEO, Okobi described the late Enuke as “a visionary whose understanding of human resource management continues to resonate far beyond his lifetime.”

He commended the Enuke family for publishing the manuscript years after it was written, noting the book encapsulates timeless insights on people, culture, leadership, and organisational excellence.

According to him, the late Enuke articulated principles that modern organisations are only now embracing – among them the strategic importance of HR at the executive level, value-driven recruitment, performance culture, and ethical leadership.

“He believed strongly that technology must enhance, not replace, the human element,” Okobi said. “People remain the engine of innovation, the drivers of performance, and the custodians of culture.”

Okobi also stressed the late Enuke’s work aligns closely with Access Holdings’ leadership philosophy, which prioritises people, performance, and sustainable organisational culture.

He added that Enuke mentored several professionals who today occupy key positions across corporate Nigeria.

Delivering a heartfelt tribute, the late Enuke’s daughter, Mrs. Winifred Enuke, spoke about her father’s values, discipline, and passion for developing people.

She recalled that he was among the early graduates of the University College Ibadan, then affiliated with the University of London, and was once sent to Washington, DC, for advanced training, a testament to his excellence and influence.

She described him as calm, intelligent, people-focused, and deeply committed to nurturing talent.

“My father believed that when you invest in people, you get the very best out of them,” she said. “He wrote this book himself, and publishing it now allows others to learn from what he lived and taught.”

Mrs. Enuke added that the rise of artificial intelligence has made her father’s teachings even more relevant, warning that the human core of organisational growth must not be lost.

The late Mazi Enuke, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s earliest and most influential HR practitioners, spent his life shaping HR systems, mentoring professionals, and advocating for people-centred leadership.

His book, now published posthumously, is expected to serve as a reference for HR professionals, business leaders, and scholars across Nigeria and beyond.

The event ended with tributes from family, colleagues, and industry leaders, celebrating a legacy grounded in integrity, human development, and a belief that “wealth is in people, not in cash.”

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