The Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, has expressed sadness over the death of its former treasurer, and staff of the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Mr. James Bello.
Bello died on Monday, December 12 after a brief illness.
According to a statement by the General Secretary of the NGE, Victoria Ibanga, Bello was an invaluable and respected Fellow of the NGE who contributed immensely to the development of the media industry in Nigeria, Africa and the whole world.
While commiserating with his family, the NGE said Bello would be sorely missed.
The statement reads:
“On behalf of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), we write to express our deep sense of loss and sadness over the death of a quintessential and amiable Nigerian Journalist, Mr. James Bello, who passed on to glory after a brief illness on Monday, December 11, 2017.
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“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.
“A former Editor-in-Chief of the News Agency of Nigeria, 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.
“To the family he left behind, please accept our heartfelt condolences.”
