Akeem Bello @60 Gentle and Calculative -

A middle height professional ever calm and reaches for greater heights on all fronts. That is Akeem Babatunde Bello for you.

At Daily Times Newspaper where I first met him he rose to become the Editor among his peers.

I walk up to him then as a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ Lagos state council during a visit .

Then Late Baba Odebiyi was also around the Agidigbin complex then. I never knew he was the Editor . He greeted me with courtesy. When he was introduced to the NUJ delegation as the Editor. I took a second a look at him . I said Editor Sir.

Progressive Elevation

The gentleman Akem Bello moved from the newsroom to join the Babatunde Raji Fashola’s cabinet as the Chief Press Secretary,CPS.

Akeem, as fondly called related very well with his colleagues. Fate brought us together again at the Bagauda Kalto Press Center, Ikeja , when I was seconded to cover the Lagos state Governor.

He welcomed me to the fold of the state house Correspondents. He is always calm amidst political and professional upheavals in the state house.

While some of our colleagues complain about him over the distribution of Christmas and” Ileya Rams ” , the bigger Muslim festival, I had an audience with him . The CPS then , explained why some people had to get what was deserved.

He maintained his calmness during our engagements.

Benevolence

I wrote my first professional book at the state house Ikeja and launched it at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism NIJ, Lagos. Akeem Bello bought copies of the book for free distribution to state house Correspondents. He calculated the book price and added a comfortable amount.

He got wind of my Mphil/PhD admission at the Babcock University in 2014.

Akeem Bello sent my request for education assistance to Governor Babatunde Fashola.

The school fees for Mphil were paid. At the graduation ceremony in Babcock, Governor Fashola was a special guest of honour. I told the Governor “I am a beneficiary of your gesture Sir and I am xoncluding the PhD programme by 2017”.

I thought he would be angry with me speaking to the Governor without informing him. He only smiles and nodded in affirmation to the Governor’s best wishes towards the completion of the PhD programme.

Very Calculative Move

Akeem Bello moved with Governor Fashola from the state house Lagos to Abuja Ministry of Works, Housing and Power as a Senior Special Assistant Media.

Cumulatively, Akeem Bello has risen from a Reporter to Editor in Daily Times Newspaper, Chief Press Secretary and Senior Special Assistant Media to Governor and Minister Fashola. Slowly and steadily, he has won the race.

I have never seen Akeem Bello getting angry in the face of provocations.