Tinubu Mourns Renowned Dutch-Nigerian Publisher, Joop Berkhout

Deji Elumoye in Abuja 

President Bola Tinubu has expressed profound sorrow over the death of a renowned naturalised publisher and Dutch national, Chief Joop Berkhout, who lived in Nigeria for over 60 years.

Berkhout, 94, a naturalised Nigerian, who made Ibadan, Oyo State, his home and dedicated his life to advancing Nigeria’s publishing industry, 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, in a release issued on Tuesday by his Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, eulogised Berkhout for his love for Nigeria and considerable contributions to the publishing industry.

President Tinubu 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 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.

“May his soul find eternal rest, and may his family draw strength from his legacy,” the president further prayed.