President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed sorrow over the death of Dr. Doyinsola Hamidat Abiola, former Managing Director of the defunct Concord Group of Newspapers and wife of late Chief MKO Abiola.
Gatekeepers News reports that Doyin Abiola died at the age of 82 on Tuesday, August 6 at about 9:15 pm after a prolonged illness.
In a statement from the State House on Wednesday, Tinubu described Dr. Abiola as an “Amazon” in Nigerian journalism, noting her pioneering role as the first woman to edit a national newspaper and to serve as Managing Director of a daily newspaper.
He praised her for breaking gender barriers, championing women’s empowerment, and contributing significantly to Nigeria’s democratic journey.
Beginning her career as a reporter with the now-defunct Daily Sketch after graduating from the University of Ibadan in 1969, Dr. Abiola rose to prominence in 1980 as the pioneer editor of National Concord. She later became Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of all Concord titles, founding Weekend Concord and setting new standards in people-centred reporting.
Tinubu recalled her involvement in politics during MKO Abiola’s 1993 presidential campaign and her active role in advocating for the validation of the June 12 election after its annulment, despite the military junta’s shutdown of the Concord Group. He hailed her as a “soldier of democracy” who demonstrated integrity, tenacity, and unwavering commitment to the public good.
The president extended condolences to the Abiola and Aboaba families, her daughter Doyinsola, and the governments and people of Lagos and Ogun States.
He prayed for her soul to rest in peace and for Nigeria to be blessed with more women of her calibre and pedigree.
