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Joop Berkhout… Publishing doyen celebrates 50 Years in Nigeria

By Editor
13 November 2016   |   2:29 am
In the same vein, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, noted that Nigeria owes it to Joop Berkhout to recognise his contribution to the intellectual life of the nation.
Former Commonwealth Secretary, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; Mrs. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Chief Joop Berkhout and Prof. Anthony Kila at the event

Former Commonwealth Secretary, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; Mrs. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Chief Joop Berkhout and Prof. Anthony Kila at the event

It was all about books, literary memories, history and writing styles last Saturday at Lagos-based international graduate school, The Centre for International Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS), when eminent Nigerians and international guests gathered to celebrate a doyen of publishing in Nigeria and Chairman of Safari Books, Chief Joop Berkhout. The event, also attended by close friends and associates of Chief Berkhout, was to mark 50 years of his Nigerian experience, considered by experts as the golden years of publishing and literary creations.

In his welcome address, CIAPS’ centre Director, Prof. Anthony Kila noted that the ‘Encounter with Joop Berkhout’ was part of a series of event themed ‘The Creatives’ initiated by the centre to contribute to the building of a society that appreciates and celebrates its most creative minds.

Originally from The Netherlands, Berkhout, noted that the Nigeria he came into in the 1960s “was a country known for reading and writing,” and he lamented the decline in general knowledge and standards. He blamed a lot of the ills in education to a lack of study of history.

In the same vein, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, noted that Nigeria owes it to Joop Berkhout to recognise his contribution to the intellectual life of the nation. He also advised that Nigerians would not know where to go if they did not know where they were coming from. Anyaoku also tasked leaders to do all they could to encourage reading and writing.

While speaking at the event, Pastor Tunde Bakare, noted that unlike most Nigerians that were merely born in this country, Nigeria was actually born inside Berkhout and it has made his passion glow more that many Nigerians.

Others, who intervened at the event included MUSON Centre’s General manager, Mr. Gboyega Banjo, Senator Olatunji Durojaiye, Chief (Mrs.) Winfred Awosika, Prof. Charles Aworh, Prof. Hauwa Iman, Elder Nathaniel Okoro, Dr. Umar Farouk and Chief Dayo Ogunniyi, who recalled how Berkhout guided him into publishing the first book on social sciences in Nigeria.

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