The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun has mourned foremost educationist and Iyalode of Yorubaland, Mrs Alaba Lawson, describing her death as the loss of a gem to Nigeria in general and Yorubaland in particular.
This is the report of the immediate reaction of the Olubadan to the news of the sudden demise of Lawson, on Saturday, as contained in a press statement in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Olubadan, who described the report of the death of Lawson, a woman of fame and glamour, as shocking and unbelievable, noted that the fact that there was nothing in the public space of recent suggestive of ill-health or anything untoward about her made the report painful and very sad.
He recalled the last time the late Chief Mrs Lawson, in her capacity as Iyalode of Yorubaland, led other women and groups from across the Southwestern part of the country to his residence to felicitate him on his ascension to the Olubadan throne.
The monarch maintained that her death was a monumental loss to the Yoruba race, in particular, and Nigeria in general.
The statement reads in part: “The late woman leader was an entrepreneur of high class with focus and vision. Her love for the younger generation was impeccable and her respect for the traditional institution undiluted. She held the position of Iyalode of Yorubaland with gait and poise and offered the women folk unique leadership.
“Her death, no doubt would create a vacuum that would be difficult to fill because of her various engagements in diverse business areas, all of which she made a success of. Her activities in the Chamber of Commerce and Industry bear eloquent testimony to her relevance and contributions to humanity.”
Oba Balogun also recalled her philanthrophic gestures, describing such as imperishable legacy, asking her immediate and extended families, the business community, the people and government of Ogun State, the Yoruba race, the beneficiaries of her humanitarian gestures and the Nigeria government to take solace in the good life the late Chief Lawson lived.
“As painful and devastating as the death is, there’s nothing we can do as mortals than to thank our creator for blessing humanity with such a kind-hearted, humanist, committed, passionate and compassionate personality, who left her feet on the sands of time and for being called back home at her appointed time by her creator.
“While praying for the peaceful repose of her gentle soul, I pray that our God would comfort all and grant all the bereaved the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” Oba Balogun further prayed.
Confidence Okwuchi
