President Bola Tinubu has expressed sadness over the death of veteran journalist and former Managing Director of the Concord Group of newspapers, Dr Doyinsola Hamidat Abiola, 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, winner of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election.
In a statement issued by the State House on Wednesday, Tinubu hailed the late media executive for breaking gender barriers in the profession and contributing significantly to journalism, democratic governance, and women’s empowerment.
“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 pioneer editor of National Concord in 1980, later 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 recounted her active involvement in the political struggles that followed the annulment of the June 12 election, which was won by her husband.
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 expressed 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.
