‘She was a soldier of democracy’ — Tinubu pays tribute to Doyin Abiola

President Bola Tinubu has paid tribute to Doyin Abiola, former managing director of the defunct Concord Group, describing her as a media trailblazer and a giant in Nigerian journalism.

Doyin died on Tuesday, aged 82, after a brief illness.

She was the wife of the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

In a statement on Wednesday, Tinubu said he received the news of her passing with “deep sadness”.

Tinubu said Doyin was “an Amazon and an icon in Nigerian journalism” whose legacy would endure through generations.

“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,” he said.

“She broke the gender barrier, becoming the first woman to edit a national newspaper and the first managing director of a daily newspaper.”

The president said her contributions to journalism and gender equity laid a solid foundation for women in media.

“Her impact on our democracy was even more profound,” Tinubu added.

“Doyin embodied integrity, tenacity, hard work, commitment to excellence, and dedication to public good and democratic good governance.”

Tinubu recalled her rise to prominence as the pioneer editor of National Concord in 1980, and as managing director and editor-in-chief of all Concord titles, including her role in founding Weekend Concord, which “set new standards for people-focused reporting”.

He said his relationship with Doyin was rooted in his close bond with her late husband.

“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,” he said.

“She played a prominent role in MKO’s election, mobilising and providing direction for the media under her control.”

Tinubu said Doyin did not retreat when the military annulled the June 12 election.

“Despite the military junta shutting down the Concord Group, she also joined the fray, demanding the validation of the election,” he said.

“She was a soldier of democracy in her own right.”

The president added that Nigerians would never forget her leadership, advocacy for women’s empowerment, and unflinching commitment to democratic values.

“I commiserate with the Abiola and Aboaba families, her only daughter, Doyinsola, and the government and people of Lagos and Ogun states,” he said.

“May her soul rest in peace. May this nation be blessed with more women of Doyin Abiola’s calibre and pedigree.”