It was indeed a shower of encomiums for the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief (MD/EiC) of the defunct Concord Group of Newspapers, Dr. Hamidat Doyinsola Abiola.
The Night of Tributes was organised in honour of Dr. Abiola, who died on August 5 at 82.
She was married to the late Chief MKO Abiola, winner of the 1993 presidential election, who was denied victory by the annulment of his election and detained. He died in custody in 1998.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwolu, former Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo, former Lagos Governor Babatunde Fashola, ministers and seasoned media practitioners, including Vanguard newspapers Publisher Sam Amuka-Pemu, thronged the Harbour Point Victoria Island, Lagos venue of the farewell reception.
The goodwill messages by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Ghanaian President John Kufuor, Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, literary giant Prof Wole Soyinka and many others were read at the ceremony.
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu was represented by the Secretary to the Lagos State Government (SSG), Dr. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin.
The dignitaries took turns to celebrate the trailblazing career and indelible impact of the deceased, who was the first woman to be appointed newspaper editor in Nigeria.
In his message, President Bola Tinubu described her as an “Amazon and icon in Nigerian journalism” who broke gender barriers by becoming the first woman to edit a national newspaper.
She embodied integrity, tenacity, hard work, and dedication to the public good. Nigerians will never forget Doyin Abiola’s leadership, her championing of women’s empowerment and her commitment to democracy,” Tinubu said.
recalled his first encounter with Mrs. Abiola in 2000, praising her humility and foresight.
“She was charming, eloquent, and gracious. She told me I would win the elections – and she was right. She played a role in deepening ties between Ghana and Nigeria,” the former Ghananian president wrote in his tribute.
Speaking through the Lagos SSG, the First Lady hailed Dr. Abiola as a pathfinder for women in public life.
Mrs. Tinubu said: “She was a pioneer whose brilliance and courage opened doors for many women and set a standard of excellence for all.
“As the first female editor of a national newspaper in Nigeria… she broke barriers in a male-dominated field… Her work not only strengthened Nigerian journalism but also gave birth to truth and progress.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu described the late journalist as “a woman of substance, strength, and extraordinary vision” who redefined possibilities for women in Nigeria.
She shattered glass ceilings with quiet dignity, inspiring generations of women to believe that no dream was beyond their reach. As the first female editor of a national newspaper in Nigeria, her intellect, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to truth left an indelible mark on the media landscape and on the nation at large,” he said.