JUST IN: Iyalode of Yorubaland Alaba Lawson is dead

Businesswoman, educationist and Iyalode of Yorubaland Alaba Lawson has died.

She died on Saturday aged 72 at her private residence located in Quarry Road area of Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

A statement issued by her media adviser Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, on behalf of the family, said Lawson passed on in her bedroom at 5.47am.

“This is to announce the transition of a notable female Nigerian entrepreneur, an educationist the Iyalode of Egbaland and Iyalode of Yoruband, Iyalode Alaba Oluwaseun Lawson who passed on peacefully today Saturday the 28th of October 2023 at 72,” the statement read.

It added that her corpse has been deposited at a private mortuary and a condolence register has been opened at the deceased’s home and at her schools located at Oke-Ilewo and Kuto area of Abeokuta respectively.

“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.

Executive secretary of Abeokuta Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ABEOCCIMA) AbdulRahman Maku also released a statement on Lawson’s death.

The deceased was the matron of ABEOCCIMA and former president of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA).

Maku wrote: “We regret to announce the demise of NACCIMA past president & ABEOCCIMA matron/chairman, board of trustees, Iyalode Alaba Lawson, MFR, F.IoD, JP (Iyalode of Yorubaland) which occurred in the early hours of today Saturday 28th October 2023. Burial arrangement to be announced later by the family.

“May God Almighty grant repose to soul of Iyalode (Amen).”

The deceased was the first Iyalode of Yorubaland installed by the late Alaafin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Adeyemi. She was the matron of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State council and matron, National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Ogun State council.