President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conveyed his deep condolences regarding the passing of Chief Joop Berkhout, a distinguished publisher and Dutch national who had called Nigeria home for more than 60 years.
In his tribute, President Tinubu praised Chief Berkhout for his enduring affection for Nigeria and his significant contributions to the publishing sector. At the age of 94, Chief Berkhout’s death marked the end of a remarkable life dedicated to the country.
President Tinubu, through a message shared by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, hailed Berkhout as a pioneer in the publishing industry, having made invaluable contributions for over five decades.
“He was a doyen of publishing for over 50 years, shaping the industry and inspiring many Nigerian writers.
“He immersed himself in our culture and tradition such that he bagged a chieftaincy title as Okun Borode of Ile-Ife. Though he hailed from the Netherlands, his heart belonged wholly to Nigeria.”
President Tinubu commiserated with Berkhout’s family members in Nigeria and the Netherlands, as well as the literary community in the country and worldwide.He appreciated his dedication to advancing Nigeria’s publishing industry.
The Nigerian Leader prays that the soul of Chief Joop Berkhout find eternal rest and may his family draw strength from his legacy.
Chief Joop Berkhout was Managing Director of Evans Brothers and Spectrum Books Limited in Nigeria.
After retiring in 2008, Chief Berkhout’s passion endured through Safari Books Limited, a publishing house he founded and chaired until his death.
Chief Joop Berkhout, the legendary publisher of Spectrum Books and later Safari Books, passed on to eternity at about noon on Monday, February 10, at his home in Ibadan, Oyo State, where he has lived for almost six decades since coming to Nigeria
Born in Amsterdam on March 31 1930, he naturalised as a Nigerian, and was installed as the Okunborode of Ile-Ife, in 1992 while also holding the national merit award of “Officer of the Order of the Niger”,OON, conferred on him by the Federal government of Nigeria.
Comments are closed.