By Peter Dansu Badagry has been thrown into a sombre mood following the reported death of the Akran of Badagry, His Majesty De Wheno Aholu ...
By Peter Dansu
Badagry has been thrown into a sombre mood following the reported death of the Akran of Badagry, His Majesty De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I, as curfew and movement restrictions were observed around the monarch’s palace on Monday.
Badagry Today reports that although there has been no official announcement from the palace or relevant authorities, multiple sources confirmed that the revered paramount ruler has joined his ancestors. A palace source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to lack of official authorisation, confirmed the monarch’s passing.
A visit by Badagry Today to the palace area revealed visible restrictions on movement, with youths barricading sections of the road leading to and from the palace, particularly from Agbalata area through to Topo Garage. Vehicular movement, including motorcycles, was restricted, as commuters were directed to take alternative routes leading to Badagry Market.
Traditional Oro worshippers were reportedly performing age-long rites associated with the demise of a reigning monarch. Shops and residential buildings close to the palace were shut, while movement was minimal and largely restricted to men, in line with traditional practices.
At Agbalata Market, trading activities were ongoing on Monday, though under a tense atmosphere. Several market women who spoke to Badagry Today confirmed that an announcement had been made informing traders that the market would be closed on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, as part of mourning activities for the late king.
As the ancient town awaits an official pronouncement, the signs of mourning are already evident across Badagry, with traditional protocols quietly taking effect.
His Majesty De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I was born on September 18, 1936, the fifth child of His Majesty De Wheno Aholu Ajiyon-Kanho, the 17th Akran of Badagry. He received his formal education at Salvation Army Primary School, Lagos; Methodist School, Badagry; and Methodist Teachers’ College, Ifaki, Ekiti, between 1956 and 1957.
Before ascending the throne, the late monarch was a man of letters and public service. He began his career as a teacher in various schools within Badagry Division before venturing into journalism. His journalism career commenced in 1961 at the West African Pilot, where he served as a diplomatic correspondent and chief reporter for the Post Group of Newspapers.
He later joined the Daily Sketch as a senior sub-editor and subsequently moved to The New Nigeria Newspapers, where he rose to the position of Acting News Editor for the South. His professional excellence earned him a grant from the International Press Institute to study at the University of East Africa, where he obtained a diploma with distinction and jointly won a prize on the Law of the Press with a Ugandan journalist.
His Majesty remained a strong advocate for journalism and media development in Nigeria and across Africa throughout his life.
His appointment as the Akran of Badagry was approved by the Lagos State Executive Council on October 7, 1976. He was crowned on April 23, 1977, officially ascending the throne as De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I, in accordance with Badagry tradition.
A respected frontline monarch, he served on the Lagos State Judicial Service Commission between 1979 and 1983. He also held several leadership roles as Grand Patron, Patron, and President of numerous social, charitable, and professional organisations.
Until his death, he was Chairman of the Chieftaincy Committee in Badagry Local Government and Permanent Vice Chairman of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs. In October 1990, he was elected to represent the Council at the enlarged National Council of States in Abuja.
In recognition of his service to the nation, he was conferred with the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic OFR on March 7, 1981.
As Badagry mourns the passing of a monarch whose life bridged tradition, intellect, and public service, the town awaits official confirmation and further directives in line with royal customs.
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