Badagry awoke on Tuesday to the sound of restrained drums and quiet conversations, as news filtered through the ancient coastal town that its foremost traditional ruler had joined his ancestors.
Chairman of Badagry Local Government Area, Mr Babatunde Hunpe, formally announced the passing of the Akran of Badagry, His Royal Majesty, De Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi I, declaring a seven-day period of mourning in honour of the revered monarch.
The announcement was conveyed through the chairman’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Austin Kriko. According to Hunpe, the declaration followed the approval of Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, underscoring the significance of the late royal father not only to Badagry but to the state at large.
“With profound sorrow, I officially announce the passing of His Royal Majesty, De Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi I, the Akran of Badagry Kingdom,” the statement read. “The Akran peacefully joined his ancestors on Monday, January 12, after a long, illustrious, dignified and impactful reign devoted to peace, unity and the preservation of Badagry’s rich and enduring cultural heritage.”
Throughout his reign, the late Akran was widely regarded as a bridge between tradition and modern governance, championing harmony among communities while safeguarding the customs that define Badagry’s identity.
His palace was often described as a meeting point for dialogue, reconciliation and cultural pride. As part of the mourning period, Hunpe called on residents to reflect deeply on the monarch’s legacy of selfless leadership, timeless values and unwavering devotion to Badagry, Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole.
He urged citizens to honour the late ruler by upholding the principles of unity and peace which, he said, defined his reign. For seven days, Badagry will pause to remember a king whose life and leadership left enduring footprints on the sands of history, even as preparations quietly begin for traditional rites befitting a monarch of his stature.
