Iyalode of Yorubaland was a no-nonsense woman – Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has paid glowing tributes to the late Iyalode of Egbaland and Yorubaland, Chief Alaba Lawson, who died on Saturday at the age of 72, describing her as a no-nonsense woman.

Obasanjo in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, said the late Educationist and industrialist contributed immensely to the development of Nigeria in general.

“Iyalode Lawson lived a worthwhile life and she did well in life. I knew she was down, but I don’t really know the cause.

“She was a fantastic human being, and she was no nonsense person, hardworking and a very generous personality. I will miss her sorely,” Obasanjo was quoted as saying.

For her contributions to the economic growth of the country and community development, the former President as the country’s President in 2004, honoured the late Educationist and industrialist with Member of the Order of Federal Republic (MFR).

Lawson was the founder of the popular Alaba Lawson Group of Schools and has been assisting some indigent pupils on scholarships in the school.

After initial rejection by her late mother, she was eventually installed with the title of Iyalode of Egbaland in August 1999.

She came to become the Iyalode Yorubaland in August 2008.