Fashola, Bonuola, Media icons, scholars honour Hakeem Bello at 60

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Nigeria’s media community and academics converged in celebration of one of their own, Hakeem Babatunde Bello, veteran journalist, editor, and public communicator, as he clocked 60 years.

The event, marked by the unveiling of “The Àtàndá Anthology: Words, Reflections, Images, Essays on Media and the Arts,” brought together a constellation of figures including former Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN; pioneer Guardian Editorial Director, Mr. Lade Bonuola; ThisDay Managing Director, Mr. Eniola Bello; veteran journalist, Ms. Taiwo Obe; and several distinguished scholars such as Professors Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, Tunde Akanni, Akin Adesokan, and Wumi Raji.

The 324-page anthology, published by Kraft Books Limited and edited by Barakah Temitope Bello, Wùnmíbáyô Lúpìtàn, and Stanley Ugagbe, compiles essays, reflections, and heartfelt tributes that illuminate Bello’s enduring influence on journalism, media ethics, and mentorship.

In his deeply personal foreword, Fashola described Bello, his long-time media adviser during his tenure as Lagos State Governor and later as Minister, as “a selfless patriot whose loyalty and sacrifice defined service.”

“He resigned his own job to help me start what was then an uncertain political career,” Fashola wrote.

“Since then, he has made my career his own for two decades and more. This work will explain what sacrifice looks like to those who still lack a definition.”

The former governor lauded Bello’s humility, discipline, and devotion to family.

“He is a man of modest needs, deep faith, and unwavering contentment,” Fashola noted. “This anthology is not just a book but a monument to friendship, service, and integrity.”

Veteran editor Lade Bonuola recalled Bello’s unblemished professionalism: “I have interacted with him as a colleague, editor, and public servant. I cannot remember one occasion I felt let down by his attitude or actions.”

For Eniola Bello, their bond dates back over four decades to their student days at the University of Ilorin.

“We not only share the same surname,” he wrote, “we shared classrooms, dreams, and values that have guided us ever since.”

Taiwo Obe, founder of The Journalism Clinic, described him as “a human being of exceptional goodness and patience,” while Professor Tunde Olusunle reminisced on Bello’s creative brilliance as a founding member of the university’s Writers’ Club and Ajon Players Drama Troupe.

Professor Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, highlighted Bello’s intellectual distinction from his undergraduate years.

“He wrote his final thesis on Wole Soyinka and earned the top grade from Professor Niyi Osundare,” he revealed. “He was calm, kind, and intellectually gifted, even then, a natural leader.”

Family tributes added emotional depth to the collection. Bello’s wife, Alhaja Habeebat, described him as “a responsible husband who never complains but always finds solutions.”

Their children-Barakah, Kareemah, Raheemah, and Mubarak, called him a “role model who leads by example.”

“He sacrificed so much to give us the life he didn’t have,” Kareemah wrote, while Mubarak added, “He always reminds us that honesty is better than comfort.”

Academics and contributors also expanded the anthology’s scope with essays on media ethics, digital responsibility, and representation.

One standout paper by Mr. Chukwudi Enebeli, SAN, “Fake News, Cyberbullying, and Hate Speech: What Is It and How Do We Deal with It?” offers a powerful reflection on the moral obligations of journalists in the digital age.

Other essays include “Television as a Cultural Force: Evolution and Social Impact in Nigeria” by Nwani Chidi Joseph, “Representation of Women and Minorities in Contemporary Media” by Akumadu Lucy Obiageri, and “Social Media and the Rise of Citizen Journalism” by Stanley Ugagbe.

Barakah Temitope Bello, one of the editors, said the work embodies her father’s lifelong philosophy that “knowledge must serve people.”

She added: “We wanted this anthology to reflect his values-clarity, fairness, and service.”

Indeed, The Àtàndá Anthology does more than honour a man; it chronicles a legacy of truth, humility, and dedication. The title itself, Àtàndá, meaning “one who spreads light” in Yoruba, captures Bello’s essence: a communicator who uses words to enlighten and uplift.

As co-editor Wùnmíbáyô Lúpìtàn put it, “This book reminds us that humility and intellect are still virtues worth celebrating.”

And in the words of a younger colleague: “If journalism is a calling, then Hakeem Bello has answered it with grace, purpose, and quiet distinction.”