BOOK REVIEW
TITLE: THE ATANDA ANTHOLOGY
Words, Reflections, Images on Media and the Arts for Hakeem Bello at 60
EDITORS: Barakah Bello, ‘Wunmibayo, Stanley Ugagbe
FOREWORD: Babatunde Raji Fashola,SAN, CON
PUBLISHER: Kraft Book Limited (2025)
ISBN: 978-978-918-923-6
Pages: 330
COVER PRICE: N10,000
REVIEWER: Ayo Oyoze Baje
INTRODUCTORY APPRAISAL:
There are books that span from the boring and broken to the bold, brilliant and beautiful creative works which take the avid reader on an enthralling, insightful and memorable mental journey; traversing the scenic landscape of the rolling hills, valleys and plains of life. These of course, remind us all that someday, somewhere we shall be remembered by the legacies we leave behind – either noble,or nauseating.
But good enough, that reading through the page – turning 330 -page “anthology” on Mr Hakeem Bello, a former Editor of the organic Daily Times and Special Adviser on Media and Communications to former two-term Governor of Lagos State and former Minister of the Federal Minister, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN CON one cannot but be gripped by the uniqueness it presents. One of such is that the thought – provoking book is a collection of what other people- including family members, friends and colleagues – think about his persona.
As well captured in one of the Editors ‘ Notes by the eldest daughter, Barakah Bello, she and her siblings, Kareemah, Mubarak and Raheemah, wanted “something that truly reflects his personality. The product of that is what you read in this compilation of what people – those he has interacted with – think about him. This work invites readers to pause, reflect and journey into both the familiar and profoundly new side of Mr. Bello… “.
Beginning with the crisp clear art design of Bello, fully dressed for work, carrying many books with some hanging and yet he is beaming with his iconic smile one understands his passion for work and to succeed against all odds. And who else is in the best position to deliver such service if not Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN who wrote the Foreword to the book. So, what exactly has he to say about Bello? The answer is there on page vi.
“Importantly, and more profoundly, I place on permanent and indelible record my deep gratitude to a passionate and selfless patriot.
” This work chronicles the many parts of this man of conviction who resigned his own job to help me start what was then an uncertain political career.
” Since then, he has made my career his own career for two decades and more, becoming a public communicator, rather than the multi -dimensional journalist that he really is.
“This work will explain what sacrifice looks like to those who still lack a definition…as it will reveal a man of deep faith who takes parenting and family responsibilities as seriously as he takes his profession”.
Apt, is it not? Of course, it is! Yet, Fashola is not the only person with such descriptions of Bello.
As reflected in several comments about Bello by people he has interacted with in his 60 years’ life journey, the trajectory is well defined by the connecting chord of words that keep reverberating all through the book. These include he being described as “a mentor, passionately dedicated to selfless service, living a humble, modest lifestyle, a good example of what benevolence is ” that he truly exemplifies.”
Indeed, after setting the tone for the anthology with the deeply personal foreword by Mr. Fashola, media veterans like Lade Bonuola, Eniola Bello, Taiwo Obe, Tunde Olusunle, Lasisi Olagunju, Angela Agoawike and Adamson Momoh amongst others in their tributes, also share their recollections of Bello with warmth and admiration with Bonuola describing Bello as the embodiment of discipline and humility.
Mr. Lade Bonuola, pioneer editorial director at The Guardian, praised Bello’s consistency and principles. “… 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 l felt let down whether by his attitude or action,” Mr Bonuola stated. To ThisDay’s Managing Director, Eniola Bello, it was a shared bond of brotherly love, which, according to him, stretching over four decades since their days at the University of Ilorin where they studied English together.
Describing him as a leader and team player with calm confidence and wisdom, Bello adds, “He had personal relationships with our lecturers, having proved himself a natural leader,” he wrote. “His integrity and intellectual discipline have remained constant for over four decades.”
Also in his affectionate tribute, Veteran journalist and mentor, Taiwo Obe, founder of The Journalism Clinic, recalled Bello’s consistency as “a human being of exceptional goodness and patience.” From the newsroom to the lecture hall, the tributes form a chorus of admiration for a man whose name evokes humility, discipline, and truth.
Prof. Tunde Olusunle, poet, scholar, and Fellow of the Association of Nigerian Authors, reminisced about their early creative years in the University of Ilorin’s Creative Writers’ Club and Ajon Players Drama Troupe.
“Hakeem was a superb and brilliant mind, respected for his sharp intellect, high morality, and quiet confidence,” he wrote. Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, described Bello as “a distinguished scholar even in his undergraduate days.”
“He wrote his final thesis on Wole Soyinka and earned the top grade from Professor Niyi Osundare,” Na’Allah recalled. “He was a friend to everyone, kind, calm, and intellectually gifted.”
Other colleagues, including Prof. Akin Adesokan and Prof. Wumi Raji, highlighted Bello’s rare blend of intelligence and grace. “He stood apart for his quiet brilliance and conviction,” Raji noted. “He is proof that humility and intellect can thrive in one man.”
DISTINCTIVE PRESENTATION
Another unique aspect of the book is the publishing of eye-opening and thought -provoking articles on various subjects by different writers. These cut across topical issues from sports and entertainment, the arts and cultural evolution through film criticism to digital media. Others include cybervision, the role of public relations to the review of the subject’s analysis of Wole Soyinka’s views on rituals, violence and social regeneration in an earlier.
What differentiates the book from several others is that instead of chapters it is divided into Book I, Book II and Book III as evident from the Contents. For instance, Book I, on his biography runs from from Pages 3 to 86 with contents such as The Gathering, Beginnings and Brotherhood, and Embracing the Journey of Family. Others include as The Scholar in the Newsroom, Public Service for Public Good as well as Legacy and Impact.
On its part, Book II features Guest Contributions writing on different topical issues. For instance, it begins with Fashola’s revealing piece on: ” Re-thinking the Current Football Business Model In Nigeria as A Catalyst for Sports Development ” on Page 93 and ends with with “Fake News,Cyber Bullying, and Hate Speech on Social Media: What Is It and How Do We Deal With It?” on page 107, written by a Partner at Pinheiro LP, Mr. Chukwudi Ebebeli, SAN.
Worthy of note in the list of some of the writers in the Section for Academic Contributors, as reflected in Book III ( 127- 306) are Nwani Chidi Joseph, Aina Comfort Oluwaseun, Gift Wada, Stanley Ugagbe, Emmanuel Chisom Umeh, Gift Sadiat Habib, Blessing James, Akumadu Lucy Obiageri, Ola Olusegun Anthony , Odeyinka Bekololari and Ifedayo Olowu.
Yet, another fascinating feature of the book is the ample display of photographs of the subject matter, Bello amongst his colleagues at various memorable events. They speak volumes.
These are presented from pages 45 to 55. Apart from samples of some of the works of the subject in past editions of Daily Times and Sunday Times, there are pictures with the famous Daily Times cartoonist, Victor Ekpuk in the ’90s, as well as with the former Managing Director of the DTN Plc, Dr. Onukaba Adinoyi-Ojo ( now of blessed memory ).
There are others, including that of Bello presenting a birthday card to the iconic former Chairmen/ MD of the DTN Group, Alhaji Babatunde Jose, with another of him having a handshake with Mrs. Funke Fadugba then the Chairperson, Lagos State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists,NUJ and some of Bello attending different high-level media events.
Another set of photographs from page 78 to 80 are mostly published in group format. These include that taken with the then Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Jide Idris and his humble self during a press briefing on the Ebola Virus outbreak,back on August 6, 2014. Another one with the then Governor Raji Fashola,along with the Commissioner of Health, Dr Jide Idris, during the inspection visit to the Isolation Ward for patients with Ebola Virus symptoms. There is yet another on the launch of three titles, ‘ The Great Leap, ‘ ‘ In Bold Print ‘ and ‘The Lagos Blow Down’ as written by him and Dapo Adeniyi in honour of Fashola for his sterling performance while in office.
FAMILY VALUES AND BOND:
The telling testimonies.
According to his loving and commited wife of years, Engr. Habibat Bello ” He is a man who tries to balance his role as a professional journalist, a husband and a father. ”
Similarly, one of the daughters, Kareemah Bello has this say of the loving father: ” Anyone who knows me knows I always say: “I’m Daddy’s princess”. I mean it because Daddy has always treated me like one. From childhood till now he has shown up for me in everyway, protecting and providing…to make sure I and my siblings have the best of the best materially, emotionally and spiritually “. This comment should serve as food- for -thought to all other parents.
As his younger brother,Bello Ibrahim Adeniji reflects, “Alhaji would set aside his pen, placing family above all else. A man who taught him contentment and resilience by simply being himself. He is a perfect example of a family man and at the same time a professional to the core…I saw his discipline and his drive”.
On her part, the sister, Alhaja Muinat Bello, Deputy Director, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission ( NUPRC ) has this to say about her dearly beloved brother: describing him as ” an incredible brother that brings joy and love, compassionate and inspiring, a guru in journalism”.
In a similar vein, the nephew, Ridwan Bello captures Hakeem’s persona in a tune that exudes honour describing him as a” father, mentor, leader and role model” as a “true reflection of greatness and remarkable impact. Humble,kind and open” adding that “you are truly inspiring and worth emulating”. Most inspiring, one would humbly admit.
With such scintillating testimonials from grateful members of his family, amongst his faithful mentees, one Oluwatosin Oladipo effusively describes Bello thus: “What a beautiful journey of wisdom, kindness and inspiration You’ve been more than a neighbour,/ uncle, you have been a mentor and role model.Your life is a testimony of hard work and integrity I’m grateful for every moment shared with you while growing up.”
ACTS OF COMPASSION
Of great significance is Bello’s uncommon heart of gold, exhibited with his milk of human kindness, as attested to by many of the respondents. One is by Baje who acknowledged him as “a solid shoulder to lean on” when he lost his wife in 2006. And this is echoed by another former colleague, Isaac Anumihe who stated that: “Bello was a great support to me during a very difficult period-when I lost my wife”.
So, what more can one add, except the translation of such rare attributes and characteristics to his place of work.
A PROUD PROFESSIONAL PEDIGREE
While his professional colleague, Anikeade Funke- Treasure describes him as “a humble, supportive senior media professional who is easy to work with, accessible and available for great causes,” Rotimi Durojaiye, the Executive Editor of The Point Newspaper views him as a veteran journalist, who is kind, diligent and God-fearing.
On his part, Ayo Baje then the Editorial Page Editor of the Daily Times appreciates him for being supportive as he contributed to several publications of the Daily Times, including Lagos Weekend, Business Times, Saturday and Sunday Times. And he stated that: “He became a Game-Changer in my media career when he chose me out of all the journalists in the company to feature in the popular Galaxy TV Editors Forum, when he was invited to do so.”
Of great note and as fate would have it, one distinguished person whose career path crossed with that of Bello and has assessed his professional pedigree is none other than Angela Agoawike, the CEO, Omalicha 91.1 FM and Fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors ( NGE ).
They both met during their NYSC year in Kaduna and later when she became the editor of Saturday Times while he was the editor of the Daily edition from Mondays to Fridays.According to her: ” He is one of the most hardworking and committed people I have ever come across in my professional life”.
Not only does he complete whatever job he has started “with patience and perfection”but attesting to his creativity, she remembers him coining the word, “Mr. Bigidity” which they used to describe one of the members of their Committee when Bello chaired the Organising Committee of the very first All Nigerian Editors’ Conference held in Ada, Osun State in 2004 with meetings being held in his office as Editor, Daily Times then.
Indeed, one unforgettable experience that marks him out as one with unwavering passion for his work took place during the unfortunate bomb blast at Ikeja cantonment on 27th January,2002.
According to his wife, members of the family were disturbed and started calling round to find out how others were doing. That was immediately after hearing the loud sound of the bomb blast. In response, Bello stated that he was then with the Managing Director at Ikoyi and the first thing that crossed his mind was “NEWS” and he had started crafting what would be the headline in the newspaper for the next day. She said that: ” That is Hakeem when it comes to his job. ”
CONCLUSION
All said, the well scripted anthology written in simple, easy- to – read format in honour of Hakeem Bello, who was born on October 10, 1965 in the rocky city of Abeokuta to Mr. Moshood Bello, an entrepreneur from Aiyepe and Mrs. Halimat Sadiat Bello, from Ijaiye both in Ogun state is a true testimony to the unfailing values of the three H principles of Hardwork, Humility and Humanitarism.
It also encapsulates the success- driving mantras of the three philosophies of Character, Commitment and Candour . Interestingly, all the accolades, the encomium and testimonials are evidence-based views from different people in different places. They were offered from their free mind with an objective appraisal of Bello. It is therefore, up to the reader to glean lasting lessons from Bello’s illustrious and inspiring life trajectory.
Enriching the book with indepth and well analyzed topical issues, as treated by the best of wordsmiths as contributors makes the message of the book more profound
I hereby humbly recommend it to all lovers of life – impacting knowledge, media practitioners, students of journalism, social sciences and public relations. You should therefore create a space for it in your personal library and others for institutions and the public. Not left of course, is for all supporters of good governance here in Nigeria and other countries across the globe.
