The immediate past Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola joined a distinguished group of media veterans, prominent scholars, and family members to celebrate journalist and public communicator Mr. Hakeem Babatunde Bello as he marked his 60th birthday.
Bello, a Fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and former Editor of the Daily Times, was the focus of heartfelt tributes contained in “The Àtàndá Anthology: Words, Reflections, Images, Essays on Media and the Arts,” a newly published compendium released in his honour.
In his foreword to the book, Mr. Fashola, who worked closely with Bello for over two decades first as Governor of Lagos State and later as a Federal Minister lauded him as a selfless patriot whose actions were the very definition of loyalty.
Fashola revealed the depth of this commitment, explaining, “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.”
The former governor also extolled Bello’s humility, deep faith, and commitment to family, describing him as a man of modest needs who prioritizes his family responsibilities as seriously as his profession.
The anthology, Fashola concluded, is a “monument to friendship, service, and integrity.”
The media veterans who contributed tributes consistently praised Bello’s professional conduct and personal integrity. Lade Bonuola, the pioneer Editorial Director at The Guardian, praised Bello’s consistency, stating, “I cannot remember one occasion l felt let down whether by his attitude or action.”
ThisDay’s Managing Director, Eniola Bello, recalled a four-decade shared bond with the celebrant stretching back to their days studying English together at the University of Ilorin, where he proved himself a capable leader and team player.
Veteran journalist Taiwo Obe remembered Bello for his consistency as a human being of exceptional goodness and patience and former Daily Times colleague Adamson Momoh celebrated him as “A thorough-bred journalist, a man who knows his onions, kind and highly detribalized.”
Bello’s sharp intellect was also a common theme among his academic colleagues. Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, noted that Bello was a “distinguished scholar” even as an undergraduate, earning the top grade for his final thesis on Wole Soyinka.
Prof. Wumi Raji observed that Bello “stood apart for his quiet brilliance and conviction,” proving that “humility and intellect can thrive in one man.”
Integrity Reflected in Family and Scholarship
On a personal level, his wife, Alhaja Habeebat Bello, described him as “a responsible husband who never complains but always finds solutions,” leading with kindness and faith. His children shared equally touching sentiments, calling him a “role model” and a man of integrity who sacrificed greatly to provide for his family.
Published by Kraft Books Limited, the 324-page volume—edited by Barakah Temitope Bello, Wùnmíbáyô Lúpìtàn, and Stanley Ugagbe—transitions from personal recollections into a collection of scholarly essays that address contemporary media issues, reinforcing Bello’s lifelong commitment to ethical journalism. A standout contribution is Mr. Chukwudi Enebeli, SAN’s paper, which focuses on “Fake News, Cyberbullying, and Hate Speech,” cautioning against weaponizing “Freedom of expression” and urging that laws be guided by ethics and expression by empathy. Other essays explore subjects like television’s cultural impact, the representation of minorities in media, and the ethics of digital privacy.
The book’s title, Àtàndá, a Yoruba name meaning “one who spreads light,” perfectly captures the spirit of the man it honours. This anthology is more than a birthday keepsake; it is a profound record of influence, celebrating the timeless values Bello embodies: truth, service, and quiet distinction in a life devoted to others.