December 19, 2017

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), on Tuesday expressed deep sense of loss and sadness over the death of Mr James Bello, a former Editor-in-Chief of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The guild, in a condolence message signed by its General Secretary, Victoria Ibanga, described the late Bello, who died on Dec. 11 in Lagos, as “a quintessential and amiable Nigerian Journalist’’.

NGE said: “We are greatly saddened by his untimely passing and sincerely convey deep sympathies in this difficult time to members of his family, professional colleagues and friends who are devastated by his demise.

“Mr Bello until his sudden exit was an invaluable and respected Fellow of our prestigious association who contributed immensely to the growth of the Guild and development of the media industry in Nigeria, Africa and the whole world.

“JB, as he was fondly addressed, served as a Treasurer of the Nigerian Guild of Editors between 2004 and 2007, and was inducted as a Fellow in 2012.

“He started his journalism career with the Observer Newspaper in Benin, Edo State, Nigeria, from where he joined the News Agency of Nigeria in 1980.

“He was a Foreign Correspondent for NAN in Nairobi, Kenya, for four years and became Editor-in-Chief in 2005 and retired from the Agency in 2007.

“James Bello was a mentor, teacher, and a father to many Nigerian journalists. He will be greatly missed by us and those who really loved and worked with him.’’

Meanwhile, friends and colleagues of the Bello have continued to pay their last respect to him, describing his death as a loss to the journalism profession.