President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Chief Joop Berkhout, a distinguished publisher and naturalized Nigerian, who dedicated over six decades of his life to advancing Nigeria’s literary landscape.

Chief Berkhout, who passed away at the age of 94, was a towering figure in the country’s publishing industry. 

He served as Managing Director of Evans Brothers and Spectrum Books Limited, later founding and chairing Safari Books Limited, where he continued his work even after his retirement in 2008.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described Berkhout as a man whose passion for Nigeria extended beyond business, embracing the nation’s culture and traditions to the extent that he was honored with the chieftaincy title of Okun Borode of Ile-Ife.

“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”, the President said.

The President extended his condolences to Berkhout’s family in Nigeria and the Netherlands, as well as to the literary community across the country and beyond.

“May his soul find eternal rest, and may his family draw strength from his legacy,” Tinubu said.