Dorothy Oluwanike (alias Owiya)

Dorothy Adenike was the first wife of G. Bawa. Her father was Benjamin Amodemogun of Ileteju and her mother, Lydia Oke Afayashe.

Her parents were early traders in Ogori. They traded in consumables goods between the triangle of Lagos-Lokoja-Onitsha. Ovia is the only surviving child of her mother but has eigth half brothers and sisters. Her father was from the popular Amode's family of Ileteju while her mother is from Okesi both in Ogori.

As a young lady, she was very pretty (as her mother), intelligent and smart. She loved music and danced very well. Discovered as a talent, Bawa who as a schoolteacher then wasted no time in courting her and eventually marrying her. With her he traveled from place to place. They spent some time together at Lokoja. In their romance days, little did she know that she was, like the Rebecca of the Bible to become the mother of a clan of children? She was blessed with 8 children from her womb, but she became the mother to all the children in the palace.

Owiya, as she is fondly known by all and sundry presided over the day-to-day administration of the family. She was courageous and simply commanded the respect of all other wives in Bawa's harem. They took directive from her. She did not go to farm. Other wives brought foodstuff the cooking of which is skillfully organized by her with the cooperation of of everyone.

Her method of serving the food for palace children was “option A4” – open service and everyone picking theirs according to age superiority. Owiya in her hay days was industrious. She was one of the first to bake and sell bread in Ogori in the early 60s. And later when she moved with Bawa to Okene, she expanded her kitchen to a “buka” where Okene General Hospital patients as well as commuters to Okene had their meals. Owiya was a major player in the company “Ovidos”. With her charisma, she got a many contracts from different sources in the 80s. Her main jobs involved construction and supply.

She was the bosom friend of Madam Rhoda Akande, Mother of Professor Obasi.

Ovia is a devout Christian who for the love of God forms part of her reason for not leaving Ogori. For over thirty years she lived in Okene after the death of her husband, Ovia never missed attending Church Services and prayer meetings. She is one of the elders in St. Andrew's Anglican Church, Okene and currently the Mother of the Choiristers  of the Church. Her favourite song is " Nipa ife Olugbala, Ki yio si kan " (By the grace of our Saviour all is well) She is so passionate about her beliefs that nothing beyond serving God matters to her especially on Sundays. Following her pilgrimage to Rome and the Holy Land (Jerusalem) in the 80s, Owiya became Jerusalem Pilgrim.

Owiya is a thinker. She has a lot of foresight and believes very much in herself. She is articulate and has a great sense of history. If only she was privileged to have a little more education, Owiya could rule Nigeria with great success.

She believes in Ogori and encourages children never to forget home. In her own opinion, an Ogori wife is the best for an Ogori young man, and vice versa. However, she is not a woman to discriminate against any tongue when it comes to social relation. All have a welcome in her home. Owiya has 35 grand children and 18 great grand children presently.

Up till date, it is an undeniable fact that Owiya has remained an institution and her house, rallying point for palace children. Her role in shaping Bawa Akerejola's family will forever be recognized. Owiya can only continue to get larger.