Lagos and national leaders pay tribute to late Badagry ruler Oba Babatunde Akran

Obasanjo said the news of the monarch’s passing was received with shock, noting that the late royal father was among the most respected traditional rulers in Lagos State. In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo said, “The Akran of Badagry, De Wheno Menu-Toyi 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.” He added, “Badagry has, since pre-colonial times, remained a robust repertoire of the finest aspects of our cultural and artistic heritage. “The royal father 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.” Obasanjo further said, “The late traditional ruler was an apostle of inter-ethnic understanding and cohesion; inter-religious accommodation and tolerance and inter-cultural co-operation.” He noted that the monarch’s death had caused deep grief to the people of Badagry and his family. “For the Governor of Lagos State, the entire good people of Badagry and his family, one can only imagine the traumatic experience and profound grief this sad event has caused them all, but they can all feel assured that their painful loss is shared by countless other Nigerians and certainly by me and my family. “While we urge them to take solace in the knowledge that though we love him, his Creator loves him more and knows what is best for him,” Obasanjo said. The revered monarch, De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I, died after a brief illness. He reigned for over 48 years and was a leading voice within the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and former President Olusegun Obasanjo have expressed deep sorrow over the death of the Paramount Ruler of the Badagry Kingdom, Oba Babatunde Akran, who passed away on Monday at the age of 89. The revered traditional ruler also served as the Permanent Vice Chairman of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

In a condolence message issued through his media adviser, Governor Sanwo-Olu described the passing of Oba Akran as a profound loss not only to Badagry but to Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole. He noted that the monarch’s nearly five-decade reign was marked by wisdom, stability, and an unwavering commitment to cultural preservation and community development.

Sanwo-Olu said the late royal father devoted his life to selfless service, leaving behind a legacy rooted in unity, tradition, and progress. He highlighted Oba Akran’s role as a custodian of Badagry’s customs and heritage, as well as his efforts to promote the ancient town’s historical importance, cultural festivals, and tourism appeal both nationally and internationally.

According to the governor, Oba Akran was widely respected as a stabilising force who united diverse interests within the Badagry Kingdom. He added that the monarch used his influence to attract growth and development, ensuring that tradition and modern advancement moved side by side during his long reign.

Former President Obasanjo also paid tribute to the late monarch, describing him as an apostle of inter-ethnic cohesion and understanding. In a statement released by his media aide, Obasanjo said he received the news of Oba Akran’s death with shock, noting that the royal father ranked among the most respected traditional rulers in Lagos State.

Obasanjo recalled that Oba Akran’s life and reign spanned decades of significant historical importance, during which Badagry maintained peace, stability, and cultural pride. He described the late monarch as a patriot and guardian of Nigeria’s cultural and traditional values, who brought unity, tolerance, and cooperation across ethnic, religious, and cultural lines.

He added that Oba Akran’s influence extended beyond Badagry, fostering solidarity among indigenes at home and in the diaspora. According to Obasanjo, the monarch’s commitment to inter-religious accommodation and peaceful coexistence remains one of his enduring legacies.

The death of Oba Akran, also known as De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I, has triggered widespread grief across Badagry and beyond. He died after a brief illness, bringing to an end a reign of over 48 years that shaped the cultural, social, and developmental trajectory of the historic coastal town.

Kevin Atamba Ochieng

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