I Have No Problem With Alake - Alaba Lawson

By Wale Adele - 23.02.2008

THE Iyalode of Egbaland, Chief (Mrs.) Alaba Lawson, last Sunday paid a courtesy visit on the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, where she declared that she was not having any problem with the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Okukenu IV.

Chief Lawson, who was accompanied by virtually all market leaders in Egbaland, arrived the Oyo palace in two luxury buses.

She told Saturday Tribune that she was in Oyo on the invitation of the Alaafin whom she described as her father, saying coming to Oyo was a home coming.

On her purported sack as Iyalode of Egba, she declined to make any comment, insisting that she had no problem with the Alake.

The sixth Iyalode of Egba said her concern over the years had been the progress of Egba and the entire Yoruba race, adding that she had decided to spend the rest of her life for the service of humanity as a way of thanking God for His kindness to her.

Welcoming the guests, the Alaafin said he had known Mrs. Lawson for many years as a dutiful chief in Egba palace, who once forced him to break his principle of not eating outside when he took a bottle of soft drinks in Alake’s palace because of her courtesies.

His words: “The meeting here today is a manifestation of her (Lawson’s) many years of good behaviour, moral and cultural upbringing which have endeared her to the Oyo palace and to very many other people.”

Oba Adeyemi then promised to honour her with a chieftaincy title, and prayed for continued good health for her and her entourage.

Members of Oyo-Mesi, traditional chiefs, princes and princesses were in attendance at the colourful event, which had traditional drummers from Egba and Oyo entertaining the guests.