By Taiwo Bankole
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and immediate-past governor of the state, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun, were among the dignitaries who gathered at The African Church Cathedral of St. James, Idi-Ape, Abeokuta, on Friday to bid farewell to the foremost educationist and late Iyalode of Egba and Yorubaland, Chief Mrs Oluwaseun Alaba Lawson.
The late Lawson, aged 72 and proprietor of Alaba Lawson Group of Schools, died on October 28 after a brief illness.
The foremost educationist, philanthropist, and defender of women’s rights was also the first female National President of the National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture.
Abiodun, in his tribute, described the deceased as an illustrious daughter of the state of whom the entire indigenes were proud.
The governor noted that Lawson made use of her education training and established the Lawson Group of Schools, which she used to impact the lives of many children.
“She was a role model to most of the children. She was eloquent, civilised, and remained very cultural, holding on to traditional values.
“She was an advocate and championed women’s rights. She gives freely, happily, and cheerfully. She was courageous, fearless, and principled.
“I can’t thank you enough for the support you gave me in my political journey. We love you, but God loves you more,” he said.
Abiodun promised that the state government would do the needful to sustain the legacy left behind by the late Iyalode of Egbaland.
In his sermon, Most Rev. Julius Abbe, Primate of the African Church, described the deceased as a kind and generous woman.
Abbe, who took the text of his sermon from Matthew 5:8, explained that the late Lawson touched lives positively, saying that it would be difficult to forget her impact on the home front, church, and society at large.
He stated that the late Iyalode served God with a pure heart, saying he believed he had seen God.
“She was truthful, believed in the truth, and stood for truth. A beautiful woman with a golden heart. A defender for the defenceless and a fighter for the poor.
“‘Iyalode’ means a reliable and dependable mother anytime, anywhere, a godly and golden mother,” he said.
Abbe used the opportunity to call on the government to urgently do something to ameliorate the suffering of the people due to the removal of fuel subsidy.
“The price of everything has gone up. Please do something when you have the opportunity. Remember the poor in the land,” he said.
The late Chief Mrs Lawson was later committed to Mother Earth inside the Alaba Lawson Group of Schools, Kuto, Abeokuta.
Other dignitaries at the event included the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Noimot Salako-Oyedele; former deputy governors Alhaja Salmot Badru and Yetunde Onanuga; and the Chairman of the All Progressive Congress in the state, Yemi Sanusi; and musical maestro and evangelist, Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi, among others.
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