Doyin Abiola, wife of MKO Abiola, acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, died on Tuesday at the age of 82.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Folio Media Group, publishers of one of Nigeria’s oldest newspapers, Daily Times, has expressed deep sadness over the death of its former staff and former Managing Director of National Concord, Dr. Doyin Abiola.
This was contained in a statement released on Wednesday and signed by the company’s Chairman, Dr. Fidelis Anosike.
Doyin Abiola, wife of Chief MKO Abiola, acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election and publisher of the defunct Concord Group of Newspapers, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 82.
According to family sources, she died at exactly 9.15 pm following a period of illness.
Reacting to the development, Anosike said he received the news of her death “with great shock and sadness”.
He added that she passed at a time when the media industry and Nigeria needed her experience the most.
He went on to say she was a dedicated journalist, writer, supporter of social justice, and a strong advocate for women’s rights.
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He said, “It is with great shock and sadness that I have received the news of the passing of Dr. Doyin Abiola, a former Features Writer with Daily Times Newspapers who rose to the position of Group Features Editor and subsequently, a member of its Editorial Borad.
“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 of 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.”
“For 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 also urged the Abiola family to find comfort in knowing that the late Doyin lived a meaningful life and made great contributions to Nigeria and humanity.
