Chief Lekan Alabi, Abese Of Olubadan Of Ibadanland, Mourns The Loss Of A Towering Icon, His Imperial Majesty, The Oba Of Badagry: : Hailing his Legacy of Unity, Tolerance and Work Ethic.

 Ibadan, Nigeria  – The distinguished Chief Lekan Alabi, Abese of Olubadan of Ibadanland and veteran journalist, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of His Imperial Majesty, Oba De Wheno Whenu Toyi, the Akran of Badagry, Lagos State, who recently joined his ancestors at the age of 89.

OBA OF BADAGRY

Chief Alabi, The Abese Olubadan of Ibadanland described the late monarch,Abese Olubadan of Ibadanland who was formerly known as Prince Babatunde Akran, as a consummate professional and a fine gentleman during their days together at the now-defunct Sketch Publishing Company Limited (SPCL), Ibadan.

Chief Alabi, The Abese Olubadan of Ibadanland

“Erin wo o, ajanaku sun bi oke,” Chief Alabi said, invoking the Yoruba expression which signifies the fall of a great pillar.

“The departed Kabiyesi was the News Editor at the Sketch Publishing Company Limited when the company employed me as a Reporter/Writer/Reader Grade II in 1974,” Chief Alabi recalled. “While the late Oba Akran was in Sketch, he bore the name Prince Babatunde Akran.”

“With due respect, Prince Akran was a good mixer but a strict professional who was dedicated to the ideals of journalism and the etiquette of an ideal News Editor. He spared no laziness or tomfoolery,” he said.

“He was approachable to us, his juniors. I must say here that the late Oba Akran, while he acted for the substantive Editor of the Sunday Sketch, the late Mr. Philip Bamidele Adedeji, was as supportive to me as Mr. Adedeji, who had given me the social/entertainment page of the Sunday Sketch to edit.”

“My column, ‘IT’S WHAT’S HAPPENING BY LEKAN ALABI’, was a platform for the review of books, music, films, theatre, and related subjects. Oba Akran was soft-spoken, dainty, and organized, among other admirable qualities,” Chief Alabi added.

 

“May his kind soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.”

Attached with this tribute are photographs from Chief Alabi’s collection, including the late Oba Akran’s portrait, the cover of Sketch’s 30th Commemorative Publication launched in 1994 by the late Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola, GCFR, and a photograph of Chief Alabi with Bashorun Abiola at the anniversary luncheon.