Iyalode Yorubaland, Alaba Lawson Dies at 72

One of Nigeria’s celebrated women leader, entrepreneur, and educationist, the Iyalode of Egbaland and Iyalode of Yorubaland, Chief Alaba Oluwaseun Lawson has died.

According to her media aide, Prince Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, Chief Alaba Lawson died peacefully today at the age of 72.

Kayode-Adedeji stated on behalf of the family: “Lawson died at her residence located in Quarry area of Abeokuta, in the early hours of today, while her corpse has been deposited at a private mortuary.

‘We lost our mother, benefactor to the cold hands of death this morning at her private residence in Abeokuta. It was a sad Saturday morning, but we cannot question God who knows the best. We thank God for her life. She lived a fulfilled life. Iyalode came, saw and conquered and she will forever continue to rest in perfect peace’.

The statement added that the family would later announce burial arrangements, while a condolence register has been opened at her home and at her private schools in  Oke-Ilewo and Kuto area of Abeokuta respectively.

The Iyalode was born on the 18th January 1951 to Papa and Mrs. Emmanuel Abiona Jiboku in Abeokuta. Her father was the late Pa Jiboku (aka Jiboku Tannatanna) of the defunct Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (ECN) and her mother was the daughter of Aderupoko Coker fame of Itesi, Abeokuta.

Alaba had her Primary Education at St. James’ African Primary School, Idi-Ape, Abeokuta, between 1957-1962. From here, she proceeded to Abeokuta Girls’ Grammar School, also known as Anglican Girls’ Grammar School where she obtained the West African School Certificate, 1963-1967.

She started her teaching career in 1969 and later left for St. Nicholas Montessori Teachers’ Training College at Prince’s Gate England in 1973 for further studies where she obtained a 1st Class Diploma in Education with distinction.  The first African student to be so rated at the institution. A testimonial issued and signed by the co-principals in 1975 attests to this thus:

“MRS LAWSON was outstanding in her ability to master her academic studies. She worked with enthusiasm and intelligence. Therefore, we are sure Mrs. Lawson will make good use of these gifts for the benefits of the children and young people in Nigeria. We shall miss her in the College, but we look forward with confidence to hearing about the work she will accomplish.”

The late women leader was the proprietress of Lawson Group of Schools established in 1977: – (Crèche, Pre-Nursery, Nursery, Primary, Junior School and College) and Past President of NACCIMA – 19th, but first female National President of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines Agriculture (NACCIMA), first female President Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FEWACCI).

Lawson was Past Chairman, -Board of Governing Council, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Ogun State (MAPOLY), Past President – Abeokuta Chamber of Commerce, Past President – Ogun Council of Chambers of Commerce, and past President  –Odu’a Chambers of Commerce.

The late Iyalode was Global Convener – NACCIMA Business Women Group (NAWORG), Fellow and Council Member – Institute of Directors (IoD), member –  Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry      (LCCI), Council Member – Nigerian – British Chambers of Commerce(NBCC), and the Chairman Board of Trustees – Nigerian Quality Infrastructure Forum(NIQIF)

She was matron women In Logistic and Transport (WILAT), Chairman – ABESTONE Microfinance Bank, Commerce House, Ibara, Abeokuta, 4th Iyalode of Egbaland conferred on her by Oba Oyebade Lipede, the Alake of Egbaland.

The deceased was the 1st Iyalode of Yorubaland conferred on her by Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, the Alaafin of Oyo Kingdom and she was the matron, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council, Matron, National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Ogun State Council.

The late Iyalode was matron, National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), South-West Nigeria; matron, Nigeria Football Supporters Club and she received the Amazon of Yorubaland, award bestowed on her by the Ooni of Ife, HRM Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

The late philanthropist has number of less privileged pupils/students under her scholarship and she has been sponsoring traders to uplift their businesses and also used her platform fighting for female, and presented papers to the Nigeria Senate to address the menace of maiming, killings and raping of women.

The late Iyalode’s hobbies included visiting and caring for the aged, learning from their wealth of experience, gardening, cooking, reading, listening to religious music, visiting historical tourist sites and monuments, and she was married with lovely treasured children, while she was also known to have been sponsoring traders to uplift their businesses.