I Can Never Forget Meeting Doyin Abiola Arranged for Obasanjo and Me -John Kufuor, former President of Ghana

By Shola Oshunkeye

In a moving tribute, former President of Ghana, Mr. John Agyeman Kufuor, has fondly reminisced about the late Dr. Mrs. Doyinsola Abiola, who made history as Nigeria’s first female Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of a national newspaper.

Dr. Mrs. Abiola’s earthly remains are being buried in Lagos today.

The former Ghanaian President reflected on how Dr. Abiola played a pivotal role in rekindling his relationship with then-President Olusegun Obasanjo, establishing a lasting connection between them and their two countries.

The encounter, Kufuor recalls in the tribute, took place back in September 2000, in the run-up to Ghana’s general elections, and Kufuor was the presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Dr. Abiola had come to Accra with a distinguished delegation from CNN and the Freedom Forum to participate in Ghana’s inaugural presidential forum (debate) ahead of the elections. The delegation was organized by Ambassador Edward Boateng, Ghana’s former ambassador to China and founder of the CNN African Journalist of the Year Awards.

“The day after the debate,” President Kufuor continues, “an excited Mrs. Abiola approached me with warmth and enthusiasm. She congratulated me sincerely on my performance and, with a confidence that would prove prophetic, told me that she believed I was going to win the presidential elections.”

Beyond her encouragement, she committed to facilitating a meeting between him and President Obasanjo, a promise she fulfilled. That encounter rekindled and strengthened a brotherly bond Kufuor had previously initiated with Obasanjo, eventually developing into a robust and enduring relationship that benefited both nations.

“For this, I will always be grateful to her,” Kufuor expresses.

While he mourns Dr. Abiola’s passing, Kufuor finds solace in knowing that she led a life filled with purpose and left a significant impact. He admired her humility, despite her notable reputation. “Her surname, of course, and her position as one of Africa’s foremost female journalists and editors, carried much weight — echoing with history, legacy, and quiet strength,” he noted.

“But what struck me most was her humility.

“When we met, she bowed — almost kneeling — to greet me. She was charming, eloquent, and gracious.”

Dr. Doyinsola Abiola, former Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of the Concord Group of Newspapers, passed away on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at the age of 82.

Below is the complete tribute from former President Kufuor:

A Tribute to Mrs. Doyinsola Abiola by H.E. President John Agyekum Kufuor (President of the Republic of Ghana, January 2001 – January 2009)

I received the sad news of the passing of Mrs. Doyinsola Abiola in the morning of Saturday, August 16th, from Ambassador Edward Boateng. It was a moment of deep sorrow.

My first memory of this remarkable lady dates back to September 2000, when she arrived in Ghana as part of a distinguished delegation from CNN and the Freedom Forum — a team assembled by the Ambassador Boateng — for Ghana’s very first presidential forum, in the run-up to a presidential election.

At the time, I was the presidential candidate for my party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Her surname, of course, and her position as one of Africa’s foremost female journalists and editors, carried much weight — echoing with history, legacy, and quiet strength.

But what struck me most was her humility.

When we met, she bowed — almost kneeling — to greet me. She was charming, eloquent, and gracious.

The day after the debate, an excited Mrs. Abiola approached me with warmth and enthusiasm. She congratulated me sincerely on my performance and, with a confidence that would prove prophetic, told me that she believed I was going to win the presidential elections.

She didn’t stop there. She promised to arrange a meeting between me and the then-President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo. She kept that promise. That meeting rekindled and deepened a brotherly relationship that I had earlier begun with President Obasanjo – a relationship that blossomed into a strong and enduring bond between us, and indeed, between our two nations.

For this I remain forever grateful to her.

Today, as we gather to honour a life well and meaningfully lived, I extend my deepest condolences to her beloved daughter, her grandchildren, and the entire Abiola family.

Rest in peace, Mrs. Abiola.

Your grace, your vision, and your legacy will not be forgotten.

John Kufuor

President of Ghana

2001 – 2009