Condolence messages and tributes continue to pour in in reaction to Tuesday’s death of Nigeria’s first female newspaper editor, Dr. Doyin Abiola, widow of the winner of 12 June 1993 presidential election, Chief Moshood Abiola.
Dr. Abiola, who was the pioneer editor of National Concord, was 82 years old.
President Bola Tinubu issued a personal tribute, while Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu passed his condolence in a statement by his spokesperson, Mr. Gboyega Akosile. Also, Daily Times newspapers, where the media icon held various editorial position, issued a condolence message, through the publishers, Folio Media Group.
In a message title, “Goodnight, Doyin Abiola, Media Trailblazer, Soldier of Democracy”, President Tinubu described Mrs. Abiola as ‘an Amazon and an icon in Nigerian journalism’.
President Tinubu wrote: ‘Her immense contributions to journalism and gender equity laid a foundation for generations of women. Her impact on our democracy was even more profound.
‘Doyin embodied integrity, tenacity, hard work, commitment to excellence, and dedication to public good and democratic good governance’.
He said that Abiola 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, and recalled that ‘she broke the gender barrier, becoming the first woman to edit a national newspaper and the first Managing Director of a daily newspaper’.
‘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 12 June 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.
‘Nigerians will never forget Doyin Abiola’s leadership during her illustrious journalism career, her championing women’s empowerment, and her commitment to democracy.
I commiserate with the Abiola and Aboaba families, her only daughter, Doyinsola, and the government and people of Lagos and Ogun States’, the President further said.
Sanwo-Olu also acknowledged Abiola as an ‘Amazon in the media industry’, and recalled her contribution to the growth and development of journalism in Nigeria as a ‘reporter, features writer, group features editor and the first Nigerian woman to be an editor and Managing Director of a Nigerian national daily’.
He said Abiola’s death is a ‘great loss to journalism and the media industry in Nigeria.
‘On behalf of my family, the people and government of Lagos State, I sympathise with the Abiola family over the death of an accomplished journalist and media manager, Dr. Doyin Abiola. I also commiserate with the deceased friends, colleagues, and journalists in Nigeria.
‘Dr. Doyin Abiola etched her name in gold in the media industry as the first Nigerian woman to be an editor and managing editor of a national daily. She was a role model to many journalists in Nigeria, having nurtured and given opportunities to many media practitioners who have become leading voices in the journalism profession and leaders in different sectors.
‘Dr. Doyin Abiola made lots of positive impacts during her lifetime, contributing meaningfully to the growth and development of journalism in Nigeria. She was a supportive wife to late Chief MKO Abiola and also contributed positively to nation building, especially on gender-related issues.
‘I pray that God will grant the soul of our beloved Dr. Doyin Abiola eternal rest and comfort the immediate family, friends and colleagues of the deceased with the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss’.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Chairman/Publisher of Folio Media Group, Dr. Fidelis Anosike, described Abiola’s death as shocking, adding that the development happened ‘when the media industry and Nigeria needed her experience the most’.
‘He further said: As in the 70s, it was big news for a woman to hold such top position in the nation’s media industry and Doyin, in deed, distinguished herself and rose to the topmost of the Features desk.
‘That she later moved on to become the first woman editor of a daily newspaper in Nigeria was a loud testimony of the stuff she was made of, as a committed professional.
‘The late Mrs. Doyin Abiola was a dedicated journalist, writer, supporter of social justice, and a strong advocate for women’s rights.
F’or the pioneer positions she held in Nigeria’s media industry and for distinguishing herself in subsequent leadership positions, Doyin was a pathfinder to women journalists in particular and an inspiration to the media industry in general’.
Anosike urged the Abiola family to find comfort in knowing that the late Doyin lived a meaningful life, made great contributions to Nigeria and humanity, and passed away at the good age of 82.
