Picture this: a king who’s reigned nearly half a century, bridging Badagry’s ancient traditions with today’s world, suddenly joins his ancestors. That’s the heartbreaking reality in Badagry, Lagos, where local chairman Babatunde Hunpe just declared seven days of mourning for the late Akran, His Royal Majesty De Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi I. He passed peacefully on Monday, Jan. 12, after an “illustrious, dignified” rule packed with peace, unity, and fierce cultural preservation.
Hunpe, with Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s nod, painted the Akran as more than a monarch—a “living bridge” between eras, a wise father figure whose counsel touched everyone from royal families to everyday folks. “Reflect on his selfless leadership and timeless values,” the chairman urged residents, while offering condolences to the Council of Obas, chiefs, and all of Badagry.
Gov. Sanwo-Olu echoed the grief, calling it “a painful loss” and “the end of an era” defined by wisdom and development. After 49 years safeguarding Badagry’s heritage—the slave route hub with deep Yoruba roots—this feels like a monumental shift.
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