Tinubu mourns legendary Publisher Joop Berkhout

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Chief Joop Berkhout, a legendary publisher and Dutch-born Nigerian who dedicated over six decades to Nigeria’s literary landscape.

At 94, Berkhout, a naturalised Nigerian, made Ibadan his home, revolutionising the publishing industry through his leadership at Evans Brothers, Spectrum Books, and later Safari Books Limited.

Tinubu praised Berkhout for his unwavering commitment to Nigeria, stating: “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.”

The President also highlighted the publisher’s deep cultural integration, noting: “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.”

Tinubu extended condolences to Berkhout’s family in Nigeria and the Netherlands, as well as to the global literary community, saying: “May his soul find eternal rest, and may his family draw strength from his legacy.”