A FORMER managing director of the defunct Concord Group of newspapers, Doyin Abiola, has died at the age of 82.
Mrs. Doyin, who was the wife of the late Chief MKO Abiola, reportedly died on Tuesday night.
She was promoted to be the MD and editor-in-chief of the Concord newspaper in 1986, becoming the first Nigerian woman to become the editor-in-chief of a daily newspaper in Nigeria.
Mrs. Abiola’s career at National Concord Newspaper spanned three decades, wherein she also served in different capacities in Nigeria’s media space.
She was a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME) for advancing the frontiers of knowledge in the media as a pillar of democracy.
Doyin Abiola was also the chairperson of the awards nominating panel at the first Nigerian Media Merit Award (NMMA).
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has mourned the passage of Abiola and described her as an icon in Nigerian journalism.
In his condolence message to the family, Tinubu said, “She broke the gender barrier, becoming the first woman to edit a national newspaper and the first managing director of a daily newspaper.
“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,” the President said in a message he signed.
While commiserating with the family of the deceased, he said, ”Nigerians will never forget Doyin Abiola’s leadership during her illustrious journalism career, her championing of 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.
“May her soul rest in peace. May this nation be blessed with more women of Doyin Abiola’s calibre and pedigree.”
In 1980, she emerged as the pioneer Editor of National Concord, owned by the late MKO Abiola.