The Lagos State Chapter, Nigeria Association Of Women Journalists NAWOJ, received the news of the exit of a titan in journalism and a leader of women, Dr. Doyin Abiola, the first female editor in Nigeria, with great sadness.
The news of her death announced in the early hours of Wednesday, August 6, at the age of 82, is shocking news to members of NAWOJ Lagos and her transition a great loss to all female journalists in Nigeria.
Dr. Doyin Abiola was an excellent journalist, whose imprint became a guide to many of us women in journalism in Nigeria and around the world.
Dr. Doyin Abiola carried the spirit of possibility which we as NAWOJIANS believe in and pursue in Newsrooms, our communities and through our daily assignments and engagements in the field.
She carried the torch of illumination for us and though her watch has ended, the flame she lit in our hearts burn even more fiercely.
Dr. Doyin Abiola began her career at Daily Sketch newspaper after her graduation in 1969.
She left Daily Sketch to acquire a Master’s degree in Journalism in America and returned to Nigeria to take up a role as a Features Writer at Daily Times, rising to become the Group Features Editor at the newspaper. Dr. Abiola returned to the United States to study and there received a PhD in communications and political science in 1979 at the New York University, returning to Nigeria again, to become a member of the editorial board at Daily Times.
She exited Daily Times and moved to the National Concord newspaper, where she rose to become the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief in 1986, an achievement which made her the first female Editor-in-Chief in Nigeria.
Doyin Abiola, who was married to foremost politician and philanthropist, Chief MKO Abiola, received numerous honours and awards, one of which was a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 24th Diamond Award For Media Excellence.
The Nigeria Association Of Women Journalists, NAWOJ Lagos State Chapter commiserates with the entire Abiola family, associates, friends and journalists over this great loss.
May the soul of Dr. Doyin Abiola rest in peace.
