The widow of the late Moshood Abiola, Doyin Abiola and the first Nigerian woman to serve as editor of a national daily newspaper has been reported dead on Tuesday following sort term illness.
Penpushing reports that Abiola’s son, Jamiu, on Wednesday confirmed the death of the veteran journalist who made history as a pioneering figure in Nigerian journalism and the former Managing Director of National Concord Newspapers.
The deceased was 82, who earned a degree in English and Drama from the University of Ibadan in 1969 and began her journalism career with the Daily Sketch newspaper, while working with the Daily Sketch, she began writing Tiro, a column that tackled various public interest issues, including gender-related matters.
Penpushing further reports that in 1970, she left the Daily Sketch to pursue a master’s degree in Journalism in the United States of America (USA), and upon her return, she joined the Daily Times as a Features Writer and eventually became Group Features Editor.
The deceased later went on to earn a PhD in Communications and Political Science from New York University in 1979, on completion of her doctorate, she returned to the Daily Times, where she joined the editorial board.
The late Abiola at Daily Times worked alongside esteemed editors such as the late Stanley Macebuh, Dele Giwa, and Amma Ogan, spent only a short time at the Daily Times before being invited to join the newly established National Concord as its pioneer daily editor.
Penpushing also reports that she became the newspaper’s Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief in 1986, becoming the first Nigerian woman to hold such a position, and in 1981, she married the founder of the newspaper, late Abiola and remained by his side throughout the tumultuous years following the annulment of the June 12, 1993, Presidential election.
The deceased made significant contributions outside the newsroom, as she chaired the Awards Nominating Panel at the first Nigerian Media Merit Awards (NMMA), and served on the Advisory Council for the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences at Ogun State University.
Penpushing reports that she received numerous accolades throughout her career, including the prestigious Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME) for her lifelong commitment to expanding the frontiers of knowledge and strengthening the media as a pillar of democracy.
The Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME) recognising her exceptional contribution to journalism, the Trustees honoured her with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 24th DAME ceremony.
Penpushing further reports that this made her the second woman, after Omobola Onajide, to receive the distinction, while in 1986, she was also awarded the prestigious Eisenhower Fellowship.
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