Badagry Kingdom - nay the African traditional/culture sector - has been thrown into mourning. His Imperial Majesty, De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I (OFR, LLD, DLitt, JP), the Akran of Badagry has transited to the abode of his ancestors.
This is one death so painful and certainly, the end of an era.
Only yesterday, I had a discussion with my long-time friend, Chief Emmanuel Afolabi Hunkanlin (Ijinla) concerning my planned visit to Badagry and Cotonou. I had thought I’d visit the palace of the Akran to greet Daddy after a long time.
Only people like Chief Hunkanlin and a few others knew my real affinity with the palace.
It was sometime in 1985 that I visited the palace for the first time. The then Director/CEO of the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture, Mr. (now Oba) Gbenga Sonuga had led us to pay homage to a royal father of exemplary character and discipline. We enjoyed ourselves that day. We had highly memorable moments in the presence of the monarch we fondly called Daddy.
Three years later, my godmother got married to Kabiyesi. I then became a regular visitor to the palace. On each visit, she would hand me the key to what later became my personal room, and which I retained for a long time.
Anytime I visited the palace, Olori Bimbo would not allow me to go back the same day. I must sleep over. And I must go and pay homage to Daddy first before any other activities commenced.
When I joined Ambassador Segun Olusola’s Ajibulu-Moniya Gallery in 1997, there were so many things to do with Badagry and most of them were connected to the palace.
In August 2001, Chief Hunkanlin and I organised an event that shook Badagry to its foundation. It was the UNESCO-declared International Day for the Slave Trade and its abolition. We had a mix of cultural/musical performances from Lagos and Badagry. We also enacted the Slave Trade practice, which drew tears from the audience. In the night, we had a large number of people who actively participated in the specially organised Candle Light Procession in rememberance of those slaves of yesteryears. The Akran and Chief Olusola sat next to each other to grace the early day events.
It was one event I was super proud to be part of. Until I moved to Abuja, I never kept away from the palace.
Till date, Badagry still remains my second home. The peace of the clime is enough to keep one’s mind away from the hustle and bustle of Lagos.
Daddy may have exited, his royal legacies will continue to endure for generations to come.
I commiserate with myself, the entire Family, the Palace and the entire sons and daughters of Badagry.
Journey well, Daddy.
Aaaaaweeeew!!!nlin
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