Akran Of Badagry Dies At 89…Obasanjo, Gov Sanwo-Olu Offer Condolences

The Akran of Badagry, His Majesty, De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I, is dead.

He died at the age of 89.

De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I, who was the Permanent Vice Chairman of Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs, was appointed as Badagry monarch on October 7, 1976, while his coronation ceremony was held on April 23, 1977. .

Lagos was the nation’s capital when De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I became a monarch in 1976, and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was then the Military Head of State.

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Kehinde Akinyemi, described the news of the monarch’s death as shocking noting that he was one of the most respected and respectable traditional rulers in Lagos State.

‘He had a most eventful life which traversed eight decades and his reign of fifty years over Badagry Kingdom, which occupies a pedestal of looming importance in our ancient and contemporary history, witnessed notable peace and stability.

Badagry has, since pre-colonial times, remained a robust repertoire of the finest aspects of our cultural and artistic heritage. He would be remembered as a patriot and custodian of our cultural and traditional values, who gave his best while on the throne of his forefathers.

Within his impactful years on the throne, he brought his salutary influence to foster unity, solidarity, peace, understanding, faith and development in our common heritage among all the sons and daughters of Badagry and the entire Badagry Kingdom, both at home and in the diaspora’ he said.

The late Oba Akran, he added, was also an apostle of inter-ethnic understanding and cohesion; inter-religious accommodation and tolerance and inter-cultural co-operation.

Team@orientactualmags.com learned that the state governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has also offered his condolences.

The governor in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile described Oba Akran’s death as a great loss not only to the people of Badagry but also to Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole.

‘On behalf of my wife, the government and people of Lagos, I commiserate with the people of Badagry, the deceased’s family, friends, associates and traditional institutions on the transition of the paramount ruler of Badagry Kingdom and Permanent Vice Chairman of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs, Oba Babatunde Akran, Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I.

 The death of Oba Akran is a great loss to the people of the ancient town of Badagry, and he will be greatly missed. He was a respected journalist. As a traditional ruler, he made positive impacts during his lifetime and contributed meaningfully to the growth and development of his community, Lagos State and Nigeria.

Oba Akran, as a first-class traditional ruler, left a lasting legacy that the people of the Badagry Kingdom will continue to cherish. He served as the custodian of Badagry’s traditions, customs, and cultural heritage for nearly 49 years. He was a stabilizing force known for uniting diverse interests within his kingdom and promoted Badagry’s historical sites and cultural festivals nationally and internationally, fostering tourism and cultural exchange.

He also used his position to attract growth and development to the ancient town. I urge his family, friends, subjects and associates, as well as the entire people of Badagry, whose interests the departed traditional ruler represented and worked tirelessly for during his lifetime, to work towards immortalizing him. I pray that Almighty God be pleased with the soul of the late monarch and grant the royal family and the people of the Badagry kingdom and Lagos State the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss’ the statement added-Team@orientactualmags.com   Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079, 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you.