President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed profound grief over two separate tragedies: the deadly helicopter crash in Ghana that claimed the lives of top government officials, and the passing of Nigerian media icon, Dr. Doyin Abiola.
In a statement released by the Presidency on Wednesday, President Tinubu extended heartfelt condolences to President John Mahama, the government, and people of Ghana following the crash that killed Ghana’s Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, and six others.
The Nigerian leader described the incident as a “profound national loss” and assured the Ghanaian people that the thoughts and prayers of Nigeria are with them during this difficult time.
“President Tinubu urges the Ghanaian nation and the bereaved families to find comfort in the knowledge that their loved ones died in the line of patriotic service to the country,” the statement read.
He prayed for the peaceful repose of the souls of the departed and for strength and consolation for those left behind.
Separately, the President also paid glowing tribute to Dr. Doyin Abiola, the trailblazing journalist and former Managing Director of the defunct Concord Group, who passed away at the age of 82.
In a personal message of condolence, President Tinubu described Dr. Abiola as “an Amazon, media icon, and a soldier of democracy,” recalling her extraordinary contributions to Nigerian journalism and democratic development.
“Doyin Abiola was an Amazon and an icon in Nigerian journalism,” he said. “She began her career in the late 1960s as a reporter with the defunct Daily Sketch, and rose to become the first Nigerian woman to edit a national newspaper and later the first female Managing Director of a daily newspaper.”
President Tinubu highlighted her pioneering editorial leadership at National Concord, where she set a new standard in people-centred journalism and championed the cause of women in the media.
“She emerged in 1980 as the pioneer Editor of National Concord, founded by her late husband, Chief MKO Abiola,” the President said. “She later served as Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of all Concord titles, including the influential Weekend Concord.”
Tinubu also recalled Dr. Abiola’s prominent political role during MKO Abiola’s 1993 presidential campaign, and her unwavering fight for democracy following the annulment of the June 12 election.
“She mobilised the media and gave direction to the cause,” he said. “Even after the Concord Group was shut down, she remained a steadfast voice for justice. She was a soldier of democracy in her own right.”
President Tinubu extended his condolences to the Abiola and Aboaba families, Dr. Abiola’s only daughter, Doyinsola, and the governments and people of Lagos and Ogun States.
“May her soul rest in peace,” the President said. “May this nation be blessed with more women of Doyin Abiola’s calibre and pedigree.”