President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has joined writers, publishers and lovers of literature across the country to mourn the death of legendary publisher Chief Joop Berkhout.
A statement issued on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Mr. Bayo Onanuga said he expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the renowned publisher and naturalised Nigerian who made immense contributions to the country’s literary landscape for over six decades.
The President noted that Berkhout was more than a businessman, saying his deep connection to Nigeria’s culture, which earned him the chieftaincy title of Okun Borode of Ile-Ife stood him out.
“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,” he said.
Tinubu extended his condolences to Berkhout’s family in Nigeria and the Netherlands, as well as to the wider literary community.
“May his soul find eternal rest, and may his family draw strength from his legacy,” he concluded.
Professor Okey Ndibe described the late publisher as “a big and consequential player in Nigeria’s domestic publishing scene.
“For three decades, Berkhout’s Spectrum Publishers was a publishing dynamo, introducing readers to memorable literary titles as well as important books in the social sciences and humanities. He also steered Evans Publishers and his most recent venture, Safari Books.”
Nigerian Author and Photographer, Dayo Adedayo who was close to him said on Tuesday: “this morning, a great man took his final bow. Chief Joop Berkhout, a legend in Nigerian publishing, a man of integrity, wisdom, and boundless energy, has left us.
“He had his breakfast, called for his pastor to pray for him, and then, just like that, he closed his eyes and departed. A quiet, dignified exit for a man who spent his life in service to knowledge, to people, and to Nigeria.
“At 90 years old, Baba was still working, still thinking, still selling books like no one else could. He was the best marketer I have ever met, a man whose passion for the written word was unparalleled,” he added.
The Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Chief Joop Berkhout, saying he was a publisher and literary icon.
The group said his demise signifies the end of an era in Nigeria’s publishing industry where he played a pivotal role in shaping and advancing the country’s literary landscape.
In a statement through its President, Wole Adedoyin, the group described Chief Berkhout as a visionary who dedicated his life to the advancement of literature and education in Nigeria, noting that his contributions to the publishing industry and his mentorship of numerous writers and publishers have left an indelible mark on the country’s literary heritage.
Born in Amsterdam on March 31st, 1930, Chief Joop Berkhout, OON was a naturalised Nigerian and holder of traditional title of “Okunborode of Ile-Ife”.
He was the founding Managing Director of Evans Brothers in 1967 and went ahead to establish Spectrum Books Ltd in 1978. Since he retired as Chairman of Spectrum Books in September 2008, he had been running Safari Books Limited, which was established in 1991.
