A former National President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) Chief (Mrs.) Alaba Lawson, is dead.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Abeokuta Chambers of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture (ABEOCCIMA), was 72 years old last 18th January.
Lawson, who was also the Iyalode of Yorubaland, was a prominent educationist and founder of the popular Alaba Lawson Group of Schools, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, died in the early hours of Saturday.
In a statement, the Executive Secretary of ABEOCCIMA, AbdulRahman Maku, said: “We regret to announce the demise of NACCIMA past President and ABEOCCIMA Matron and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Iyalode Alaba Lawson, MFR, JP (Iyalode of Yorubaland) which occurred in the early hours of today, Saturday 28th of October, 2023. Burial arrangement to be announced later by the family. May God Almighty grant repose to the soul of Iyalode”.
Lawson was a Nigerian business magnate, entrepreneur, academician and champion of women’s upliftment and empowerment.
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has however described Lawson’s death as a huge loss to the nation.
According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Lekan Adeniran in Abeokuta, the governor received the news with great shock.
Abiodun said he took solace in the fact that the deceased left huge landmarks across a broad spectrum of the Nigerian landscape and would be remembered for being a blessing to thousands of Nigerians who crossed paths with her.
He added that as an epitome of excellence, Lawson represented the very best of Nigerian womanhood and was a model to generations of women.
Abiodun said: “The passing of Chief (Mrs) Alaba Lawson is without doubt a shocking development, but we are consoled by her sterling record of service to humanity and unblemished contributions to the development of Ogun State.
“Born into the highly distinguished Jibolu-Taiwo family of Abeokuta, Chief (Mrs) Lawson was an exemplar of the popular Yoruba dictum of one born into nobility but who goes on to achieve self-rebirth, showcasing the timeless Omoluabi qualities that the Yoruba hold so dear.
“From her education in Nigeria to her sojourn in the United Kingdom, teaching in several schools while studying at the St. Nicholas Montessori Teachers’ Training College at Prince’s Gate, England in 1973 where she set a record by becoming the first African to obtain a First Class Diploma in Education, Chief (Mrs) Alaba Lawson showcased uncommon commitment to excellence.
“When she returned home, she established a string of schools that have shaped the lives of generations of students and contributed immensely to Ogun State’s profile as Nigeria’s education capital.
“Whether as the first female president of NACCIMA, chairman of the board of the Governing Council, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Ogun State; Otun Iyalode of the Egba Christians, or the Iyalode of Yorubaland, Chief (Mrs) Lawson was the quintessential definition of a pacesetter. She was thoroughly accomplished and distinguished.
“Among other imperishable legacies, the Lawson’s Group of Schools comprising Lawson’s International Private School, Lawson’s Continuing Education Centre, Alaba Lawson Royal College, Abeokuta and Alaba Lawson School of Advanced Studies will continue to bear eloquent testimony to her genius.
“She will be surely missed”.
Abiodun commiserated with the Alake of Egbaland, Oba (Dr.) Adedotun Gbadebo, and his chiefs; the Lawson family and the nation in general on her demise and prayed that the Almighty God would grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
