By Oluseye Ojo
The Dawodu family, descendants of Pa Williams Akinola Dawodu, the founder of Waigbo community in Odi Olowo Area of Mushin Local Government, Lagos State, has kicked against the controversial appointment of a Baale (community head).
The family asserted that the imposition went against their ancestral rights and traditions.
They have, however, appealed for the intervention of the appropriate authorities, with a particular emphasis on Oba Sikirulahi Olamide Ayinde Williams, the monarch of Odi Olowo Kingdom.
Despite their objections, the Dawodu family has assured that its members were committed to maintaining peace until the matter is resolved.
The community, which was established many years ago when Pa Williams Akinola Dawodu purchased the land from the Cadoso family in 1921, derived its name from a tree called Waigbo, known for its leaves that were traditionally used to treat malaria. Pa Williams Akinola Dawodu served as the first Baale/Community Head of Waigbo.
Chief Dawodu Omoyemi Nathaniel, the great-grandson of Chief Williams Akinola, shared the family’s perspective on the matter.
He explained that after the death of Chief Williams Akinola, his son Alabi Nathaniel Dawodu, who was the grandfather of the current Baale-Elect, did not continue in the family’s leadership role. Instead, Alabi’s son, the late Gbolahan Babashola Dawodu, assumed the position.
Nathaniel stressed the family’s disappointment, stating, “We had diligently pursued the installation process, facing numerous challenges, only to have someone from another area installed without justification.” The family contends that the late Oba Fatai Irawo failed to remember the conditions he set for the Dawodu family’s installation, effectively allowing the imposition of a non-entitled candidate.