THE Akran of Badagry Aholu Wheno Menu Toyi 1 holds sway over a swathe of territory covering Badagry town and 70 adjourning villages and districts spread across the mainland and islands in Southwest Nigeria.
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The influence of past rulers of Badagry is believed to have also reached the Nigerian border town of Seme.
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The octogenarian present Akran of Badagry, ascended to the throne in 1977 and before then, was a journalist whose exploits in the pen profession started in 1961 in the then West African Pilot established by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, and spread across several platforms including Daily Sketch and New Nigeria where he rose to the position of Acting News Editor, South.
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Before him, Badagary had been ruled by 14 paramount rulers, since the days of Akran Gbafoe in 1425.
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Akran Menu-Toyi 1 is the permanent Vice Chairman of Lagos State Council of Oba's and Chiefs was honoured with the National Award- Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) on 7th March, 1981.
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He is currently the Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt.
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Nigeria is celebrating its centenary, do you think the amalgamation was a right decision?
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We are enjoying the peace of Nigeria's amalgamation because we have been together since 1914 when the Northern and Southern Protectorates were brought together. We have been having peaceful co- existence.
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Though there have been series of problems since then but such problems have not ended up dividing the country. We should be happier that we are still one.
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Looking at Badagry and the centenary, can you tell us the significance of the place to the centenary celebration because some accounts have it that the first administrative office of Lord Luggard and that the amalgamation document was singed here in Badagry. Can you give us insight into this?
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All I know is that Badagry is the cradle of West African civilisation starting from 1839 when 500 slaves were liberated from Sierra Leone by the British and they were brought to Badagry to enable them go to their homes. Then, some of the returnees were in Badagry here, Flora Bay compound and they were the ones who appealed to the British government to send missionaries so that Badagry can become the land of the gospel.
Badagry has so much developed that is why it is a place Nigeria and Nigerians can be very proud of. Lots of transformation has happened there
Things change, Badagry is one of them.
The place has changed for good!