Badagry witnessed a powerful convergence of faith and tradition this week as Christian and Muslim prayers marked key moments in the ongoing seven-day official mourning for the late #Akran of Badagry, His Royal Majesty De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I, who joined his ancestors earlier in the month.
On Thursday, January 15, 2026, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Badagry Local Government, concluded a three-day prayer session at the Akran’s Palace, in accordance with Badagry custom following the transition of a reigning monarch.
The prayers brought together members of the royal family, palace chiefs, Christian clergy, and residents of the kingdom to reflect on the life, leadership, and legacy of the departed ruler.
Speaking at the palace, the CAN Chairman in Badagry, Rev. Joel Pakaye Nanso, described the late Akran as a custodian of peace whose reign left enduring marks of unity and calm across Badagry. He noted that the prayers were offered both in mourning and in gratitude for a monarch who touched lives across religious and cultural lines.
Also addressing worshippers, the CAN Badagry District Head, Rev. Moses Godonu, praised the monarch’s inclusive and non-authoritarian leadership style, which he said played a major role in sustaining harmony and stability within the kingdom throughout his nearly five decades on the throne.
The following day, Friday, January 16, 2026, Badagry stood still once again as special Jumaat and Fidau prayers became the spiritual centrepiece of Day Five of the official mourning period. From the early hours of the morning, the ancient coastal town remained unusually calm, with the long-standing no-noise directive strictly enforced across the town centre by palace chiefs and youth marshals acting on behalf of the traditional council.
Worshippers later gathered at the Badagry Central Mosque, where the Chief Imam led prayers dedicated to the peaceful repose of the late Akran. In his sermon, the Chief Imam described the monarch as a unifying figure whose reign transcended faith and tradition, noting that although he was the custodian of Ogu cultural heritage, his leadership consistently promoted religious tolerance and mutual respect.
Community leaders emphasised that the Jumaat prayers were not viewed as a strictly Islamic observance but as a collective act of remembrance for a ruler widely regarded as a father to all in Badagry. One elder remarked that the Akran “was not a king of one faith alone, but a roof under which everyone found shelter.”
Meanwhile, traditional rites continued quietly within the palace. Palace sources confirmed that key spiritual ceremonies, including the Night of Seven Rites, had been concluded by Ogu elders at dawn within the sacred quarters of Vlekete and Hunwaji, necessitating continued restrictions within core historical areas of the town.
As Badagry approaches the final days of the mourning period, the town remains calm, reflective, and united—its mosques and churches echoing the same message of peace and gratitude.
Officials of the Badagry Local Government, working alongside the Lagos State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, are expected to announce dates for the state funeral and official tributes in the coming days.
For now, Badagry holds firmly to prayer, tradition, and dignity as it honours a monarch whose 48-year reign remains synonymous with peace, stability, and interfaith harmony.