Popular Lagos State monarch, the Akran of Badagry Kingdom, De Wheno Menu-Toyi, has died at age 89.
The revered monarch and a leading voice within the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs, who ruled the ancient town for almost 48 years, died on Monday following a brief illness.
Mourning the monarch’s death, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, which was made available to our correspondent, described Oba Akran’s departure as a great loss not only to the people of Badagry but also to Lagos and Nigeria as a whole, due to his remarkable impact as a respected monarch in Nigeria.
He stated that the revered king, who reigned for nearly 49 years, is a traditional ruler known for his wisdom, cultural preservation, and advocacy for Badagry’s development, and that he served the people selflessly and left a legacy of unity, tradition, uplifting, and modern development.
He said, “On behalf of my wife, the government, and the 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.”
Until his death, Menu-Toyi, who ascended the throne of his forefathers on April 23, 1977, was the Permanent Vice-Chairman of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs.
