The Akran of Badagry, Oba Babatunde Akran (Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I), has died at the age of 89.
The first-class traditional ruler, who served on the throne for nearly 49 years, was also the permanent Vice Chairman of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, announced the monarch’s passing in a statement on Monday, describing it as a profound loss for Badagry, Lagos, and Nigeria.
He praised Oba Akran’s remarkable impact, wisdom, and dedication to cultural preservation and development.
The governor highlighted the late Oba’s nearly five-decade reign as a period of selfless service, unity, and progress for his kingdom.
He noted that Oba Akran was a stabilising force who promoted Badagry’s heritage and attracted growth to the ancient town.
In his condolences, Governor Sanwo-Olu extended sympathy to the people of Badagry, the royal family, and traditional institutions.
He urged them to honour the monarch’s lasting legacy, recalling his role as a custodian of culture and a champion for development.
The statement concluded with a prayer for the peaceful repose of the Oba’s soul and for strength for his family, subjects, and the state to bear the loss.
Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.
Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.
He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.
Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).
He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.
He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.
Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.
