The late Akran of Badagry, De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I, was born on September 18, 1936. He was the fifth child of His Majesty De Wheno Aholu Ajiyon-Kanho, the 17th Akran of Badagry. He started his elementary education at Salvation Army Primary School, Lagos; Methodist School, Badagry; and Methodist Teachers’ College, Ifaki, Ekiti, between 1956 and 1957.

Akran’s demise, as gathered, ended 48 years on the throne, becoming one of the longest-serving monarchs who have ruled any kingdom in the state.

A royal figure of many parts, De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I was initially a teacher and taught at various schools in Badagry Division, but later went into journalism.

His career as a practising journalist began in 1961 at the West African Pilot, where he served as a diplomatic correspondent and chief reporter for the Post Group of Newspapers.

Thereafter, he joined the Daily Sketch as a senior sub-editor and later transferred to The New Nigeria newspapers as a senior journalist, becoming the Acting News Editor (South).

As a senior journalist, his outstanding performance earned him a grant from the International Press Institute (IPI) to study at the University of East Africa, where he obtained a diploma with distinction. He also shared a prize on the Law of the Press with another journalist from Uganda. His Majesty continued to support the growth and development of journalism in Nigeria and across Africa.

His appointment as the Akran of Badagry was duly approved by the Executive Council of the Lagos State Government on October 7, 1976.

He ascended the throne of his forebearers during the coronation held on April 23, 1977, where he was crowned and assumed the royal title of De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I, the Akran of Badagry Kingdom, in accordance with tradition.

He was the paramount ruler of the Ogu race in Nigeria and the Chairman of the Badagry Divisional Chieftaincy Committees, which oversees over 100 recognised chieftaincies made up of several Obas, Chiefs, and quarter heads (Baales). These chieftaincies are spread across four local government areas namely Badagry, Ojo, Amuwo-Odofin, and Ajeromi-Ifelodun.

A frontline monarch and paramount ruler, he served as a member of the Lagos State Judicial Service Commission from 1979 to 1983, and as Grand Patron, Patron, and President of various social, charitable, and professional organisations.

De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I until his death was the Chairman of the Chieftaincy Committee in Badagry Local Government and the Permanent Vice-Chairman of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs. In October 1990, he was elected by members of the Council to represent it at the enlarged National Council of States in Abuja.

He was honoured with the national award of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) on March 7, 1981.

According to Babatunde Ajose, an historian, the late monarch was friendly and hospitable—a great lover of his people—who has brought joy, peace, and happiness to them by encouraging community participation in rural development programmes throughout the Badagry area. He is a staunch advocate for Integrated Rural Development.

He described the late Akran as a keen sports lover who believes in the development of sports as a means of achieving a healthy body, mind, unity, and understanding, De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I (OFR) donated a large trophy for competition among journalists in the state.

On April 7, 1990, during his installation as the Chancellor of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Nkpolu, Port Harcourt, he was awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws (LL.D – Honoris Causa). He is currently the Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt.

He embarked on a pilgrimage to designated holy places in Italy, France, Egypt, and Jerusalem. During the pilgrimage, he was received in audience by His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, at the Vatican in Rome. Having fulfilled Biblical injunctions, he ascended Jerusalem, the Holy City and capital of Israel, and was thereafter authorized to bear the title Jerusalem Pilgrim (JP).

The palace (Honme) of Akran continues to be a haven for believers and visitors from far and near. Among the distinguished visitors to the palace were Mrs. Rosalyne Carter and her daughter Amy, wife and daughter of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, and the former Archbishop of Canterbury, The Rt. Rev. Robert Runcie, who christened Badagry as the Canterbury of Nigeria. (The Nation)