The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake has expressed shock over the passing into glory of Dr. Mrs. Doyin Abiola, former Managing Director of Concord Press of Nigeria.
This is contained in a statement signed by him in Abuja.
According to the statement, Dr Alake says late Dr. Doyin Abiola’s transition signals the gradual exit of the beautiful ones who brought sparkle to the lives of many readers by publishing delightful stories of hope and perseverance.
“It is said that some are born great and others have greatness thrust upon them. Dr. Doyin Abiola, who joined the Saints yesterday, showed up on both counts” the Minister states.
The statement describes her as the scion of the illustrious Abiola’s family, reputed for its elitist pedigree and nobility built on professionalism and class.
“That heritage ensured that she climbed to the pinnacle of scholarship. Starting with a Bachelor’s in English and Drama from Nigeria’s premier University of Ibadan, she followed with a Master’s and later crowned it with Doctor of Philosophy at New York University, United States” Dr. Alake emphasizes.
The statement describes the late Dr. Doyin Abiola, as gentle and genial, soft yet solid, who inhaled and exhaled journalism.
“Breaking the news day after day, splashing shockers on the front pages and making sure that readers got the news of Concord hot very early at the newsstands, were the goals that drove her to deliver the best copies to the market” the Minister stresses.
According to the statement, the late Dr. Abiola was, indeed, a newsman, (as there are no women in journalism), trained for the job with an incredible passion for investigation and staying power for following up till the end of each episode.
“Dr. Abiola’s managerial expertise was unparalleled. Complementing her husband, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, the publisher, Dr.Abiola supervised several innovative projects to position Concord Press as the primus inter pares in the media industry” Dr. Alake notes.
“She showed her motherly disposition in the provision of conducive working conditions and personal interest in staff welfare and professional development.
Only a professional and manager of exceptional capacity and courage could have translated the publisher’s vision of independent journalism into daily publication of news and respected leaders” he stresses.
According to Dr. Alake, only a woman of quintessential professional standards and stoic sacrifice could have survived the regular onslaught of military invasion of Concord’s newsroom, incessant closures and incarceration of staff, and ultimately, the detention and death of the publisher”
“It is a testament of her doggedness that she brought her resourcefulness and stature to count on the side of the Nigerian people when it mattered most, unbowed by the wicked incarceration of her husband the winner of the June 12, 1993 election” Dr. Alake adds.
