President Bola Tinubu has expressed condolences on the passing of Dr Doyinsola Hamidat Abiola, a senior journalist and former managing director of the Concord Group of publications, describing her as a “trailblazer journalist” and a “soldier of democracy”.
Dr Abiola, who died on Tuesday at the age of 82, was the wife of the late Chief MKO Abiola, the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Tinubu praised the late media executive for breaking gender barriers in the industry and making important contributions to journalism, democratic government, and women’s empowerment, according to a State House statement released Wednesday.
“Doyin Abiola, 82, was an Amazon and an icon in Nigerian journalism. She stayed in the journalism course since starting as a reporter with the defunct Daily Sketch after graduating from the University of Ibadan in 1969, majoring in English and Drama.
“She broke the gender barrier, becoming the first woman to edit a national newspaper and the first managing director of a daily newspaper,” the statement read.
Dr Abiola went on to become the founding editor of National Concord in 1980, eventually rising to managing director and editor-in-chief of all Concord titles, including the influential Weekend Concord.
“Her immense contributions to journalism and gender equity laid a foundation for generations of women. Her impact on our democracy was even more profound,” the President said.
Tinubu also described her active participation in the political struggles that followed the annulment of her husband’s June 12 election victory.
Tinubu said, “I had a good relationship with the late Doyin, which stemmed from my close relationship with the late MKO Abiola.
“As MKO’s wife, Doyin became acquainted with politics and took a keen interest in it, particularly when her husband ran for the country’s presidency in 1993.
“She played a prominent role in MKO’s election, mobilising and providing direction for the media under her control.
“And when the June 12 election, won by her husband, was annulled, she did not stand aside. Despite the military junta shutting down the Concord Group, she also joined the fray, demanding the validation of the election. She was a soldier of democracy in her own right.”
He described her as a woman of “integrity, tenacity, hard work, commitment to excellence, and dedication to public good and democratic good governance.”
The President conveyed his condolences to the Abiola and Aboaba families, her only daughter, Doyinsola, as well as the governments and people of Lagos and Ogun states.
“May her soul rest in peace. May this nation be blessed with more women of Doyin Abiola’s calibre and pedigree,” Tinubu stated.
