President Bola Tinubu has paid glowing tribute to the late Dr. Doyinsola Abiola, describing her as a woman of integrity and excellence who dedicated her life to the public good and the advancement of democratic governance in Nigeria.

In a heartfelt statement on Wednesday, President Tinubu honoured Dr. Abiola’s trailblazing role in Nigerian journalism and her courageous contributions to democratic struggles, particularly during the June 12, 1993 election crisis.

He described her as a woman who embodied “integrity, tenacity, hard work, commitment to excellence and dedication to public good and democratic good governance.”

Dr. Abiola, 82, passed away early Wednesday, marking the end of a storied career that spanned decades in media, public advocacy, and political activism.

She was the former Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of the now-defunct Concord Group of newspapers and the wife of the late business mogul and winner of the annulled 1993 presidential election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola.

President Tinubu lauded her pioneering achievements in journalism, noting that she broke gender barriers by becoming the first woman to edit a national newspaper and later the first female Managing Director of a daily newspaper in Nigeria.

“Doyin Abiola was an Amazon and an icon in Nigerian journalism. 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”, the President said.

Her journalistic journey reached a turning point in 1980 when she became the pioneer Editor of National Concord, one of Nigeria’s most influential newspapers at the time.

Under her leadership, the newspaper introduced Weekend Concord, which revolutionised human-interest reporting in the country.

President Tinubu also recalled his personal bond with the late journalist, which, he said, was forged through his close relationship with her husband, 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,” he stated.

Following the annulment of the 1993 election, Tinubu noted that Dr. Abiola refused to be a bystander. Even after the military junta shut down the Concord Group, she stood her ground, demanding the validation of the historic election.

The President also praised Dr. Abiola for her role in promoting gender equity and empowering women through her leadership in journalism.

“Nigerians will never forget Doyin Abiola’s leadership during her illustrious journalism career, her championing of women’s empowerment, and her commitment to democracy,” he said.

President Tinubu extended his condolences to the Abiola and Aboaba families, her daughter, Doyinsola, and the governments 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,” the statement concluded.