Political leaders, clerics and business figures on Tuesday gathered at the Harbour Point Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, for the service of songs and night of tributes organised in honour of Doyin Abiola.
Those in attendance included Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and former minister of power, works and housing Babatunde Fashola.
Also present were minister of solid minerals development Dele Alake, Ogun State deputy governor Noimot Oyedele, media mogul Dele Momodu and Vanguard Newspaper publisher Sam Amuka.
Clerics such as Pastor Godman Akinlabi and Pastor Ituah Ighodalo also joined in paying their respects.
Dr. Abiola, wife of the late businessman and politician Moshood Abiola, died on August 5 at the age of 82.
Family sources said she died after a period of illness.
A pioneer in Nigerian media, she was the first woman to serve as editor and later managing director of a national daily, National Concord.
She worked in the industry for over three decades and inspired a generation of journalists.
Born in 1943, Dr. Abiola studied English and Drama at the University of Ibadan and later obtained a master’s degree in journalism in the United States. She earned her Ph.D. in communications and political science from New York University in 1979.
She began her career at the Daily Sketch before moving to the Daily Times where she rose to the position of group features editor.
She later became the first editor of National Concord in 1980 and its managing director in 1986.
Her contributions extended beyond journalism as she served on several national committees and boards, including the Nigeria Media Merit Award (NMMA) and NEPAD steering committee.
Doyin Abiola received numerous honours during her career, including the Eisenhower Fellowship in 1986 and the DAME Lifetime Achievement Award.
