President Bola Tinubu has expressed profound sorrow over the death of Chief Joop Berkhout, a renowned publisher and Dutch national who lived in Nigeria for over 60 years.
Chief Berkhout, 94, a naturalised Nigerian, made Ibadan, Oyo State, his home and dedicated his life to advancing Nigeria’s publishing industry.
President Bola Tinubu eulogised Berkhout for his love for Nigeria and considerable contributions to the publishing industry.
Berkhout was Managing Director of Evans Brothers and Spectrum Books Limited in Nigeria.
Even after retiring in 2008, his passion endured through Safari Books Limited, a publishing house he founded and chaired until his death.
The President said: “Chief Berkhout lived a remarkable life in Nigeria. 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 lle-Ife.
Though he hailed from the Netherlands, his heart belonged wholly to Nigeria.President Bola Tinubu commiserated with Berkhout’s family members in Nigeria and the Netherlands, as well as the literary community in the country and worldwide.
Bayo OnanugaSpecial Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy) February 11, 2025
