Fashola, Bonuola, media icons, scholars celebrate Hakeem Bello at 60

Fashola, Bonuola, media icons, scholars celebrate Hakeem Bello at 60

“He resigned his own job to help me start what was then an uncertain political career” – Fashola
“I cannot remember one occasion I felt let down by his attitude or action” – Bonuola

Prominent Nigerians including former Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, CON, and media veterans Lade Bonuola, Eniola Bello, and Taiwo Obe, joined eminent scholars and family members to celebrate the 60th birthday of renowned journalist and public communicator, Mr. Hakeem Babatunde Bello.

The occasion was marked with the launch of “The Àtàndá Anthology: Words, Reflections, Images, Essays on Media and the Arts,” a 324-page collection of tributes and academic essays published in his honour by Kraft Books Limited. The anthology, edited by Barakah Temitope Bello, Wùnmíbáyô Lúpìtàn, and Stanley Ugagbe, chronicles Bello’s impact on journalism, governance, and human values over the past four decades.

In his Foreword to the publication, Mr. Fashola paid glowing tribute to his longtime aide and friend, describing Bello as a “selfless patriot and man of modest needs whose sacrifices define loyalty and service.”

“He resigned his own job to help me start what was then an uncertain political career. Since then, he has made my career his own for two decades and more,” Fashola wrote. “This work will explain what sacrifice looks like to those who still lack a definition.”

The former Lagos governor lauded Bello’s humility, integrity, and devotion to family, adding that the anthology serves as “a monument to friendship, service, and integrity.”

Veteran journalist and pioneer Editorial Director of The Guardian, Mr. Lade Bonuola, also described Bello as “the embodiment of discipline and humility.”

“I have interacted with him as my colleague, as an editor and a journalist as well as a public servant. I cannot remember one occasion I felt let down, whether by his attitude or action,” he said.

Similarly, Eniola Bello, Managing Director of ThisDay Newspapers and a longtime friend, reminisced on their four-decade relationship, dating back to their undergraduate years at the University of Ilorin.

“He and I have shared many things together in the last 40 years. We both studied English, graduated the same year, and have remained brothers ever since,” he wrote.

Founder of The Journalism Clinic, Taiwo Obe, hailed Bello as “a human being of exceptional goodness and patience,” while Prof. Tunde Olusunle recalled his brilliance and moral uprightness during their creative years at the University of Ilorin.

For Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Bello stood out early as “a distinguished scholar who earned top grades and commanded respect through intellect and humility.”

Other academics, including Profs. Akin Adesokan and Wumi Raji, also described him as a “rare blend of intelligence, grace, and conviction.”

Beyond the professional accolades, heartfelt tributes poured in from Bello’s family. His wife, Alhaja Habeebat Bello, praised his kindness and dedication to family life, describing him as “a responsible husband who never complains but always finds solutions.”

Their children — Barakah, Kareemah, Raheemah, and Mubarak — also shared touching reflections.

“He’s a role model not because he tries to be one, but because it’s simply who he is,” said Raheemah.
“He sacrificed so much to give us the life he didn’t have,” added Kareemah.

The anthology’s second section features scholarly essays on media ethics and communication in the digital age. Among them, Mr. Chukwudi Enebeli, SAN, in “Fake News, Cyberbullying, and Hate Speech: What Is It and How Do We Deal with It?” examines the balance between freedom of expression and responsible journalism.

Other notable contributions 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;
• “Social Media and the Rise of Citizen Journalism” by Stanley Ugagbe; and
• “The Ethics of Data Collection and Privacy in Digital Media” by Ola Olusegun Anthony.

According to co-editor Wùnmíbáyô Lúpìtàn, the title Àtàndá — Yoruba for “one who spreads light” — aptly reflects Bello’s life of purpose and humility.

“This book is our modest way of sharing his light with others,” he said. “It reminds us that humility and intellect are still virtues worth celebrating.”

As The Àtàndá Anthology demonstrates, Hakeem Bello’s story is not just that of a journalist, but of a man whose words and deeds have illuminated others — quietly, faithfully, and with enduring grace.

– Taiwo Olapade