Badagry, a historic coastal town renowned for its rich cultural heritage, was on Monday enveloped in a sombre and brooding mood following the passing of its 89-year-old monarch, De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I, the Akran of Badagry.

The revered monarch, who reigned for 48 years, was a towering figure in the history and development of the ancient coastal town.

He was a journalist before ascending the throne of his forefathers on April 23, 1977.

His long reign was marked by peace, unity and steady community development across Badagry and its environs.

As Permanent Vice-Chairman of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs, his counsel and leadership carried significant influence within traditional institutions across the State.

He was widely respected as a devoted custodian of Ogu culture and tradition, as well as a passionate advocate for the welfare of his people.

From the early hours of Monday, an unusual calm descended on the ancient kingdom as residents struggled to come to terms with the loss of their traditional ruler.

Markets that normally buzz with activities witnessed low patronage, while groups of residents gathered sparsely in streets and compounds, exchanging restrained conversations.

At the Akran’s palace, it was learnt that the atmosphere was pensive as chiefs and community leaders’ showed grief.

There were restrictions on vehicular movements around the palace vicinity with some sections of the road leading to the place barricaded. Commuters were said to be directed to take alternative routes.

Sources said the traditional worshippers may have started observing rites necessitated by the demise of the monarch. Security and palace officials were seen restricting movement in the immediate vicinity.

Residents said the rites would affect social and commercial activities around the palace and may force many residents especially those working outside Badagry to return home early.

Many residents described the late Akran as a symbol of unity, stability and cultural pride for Badagry. They recalled his role in preserving the town’s customs and mediating communal disputes, while youths spoke of a monarch who encouraged peace and respect for tradition amid modern challenges.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), some sons and daughters of the late king were at the palace, with some seen openly weeping.

A traditional chief, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Akran passed on at about 1:30 am, but confirmation of his death was made at about 5:30 am.

“The Chairman of Badagry Local Government Area, Babatunde Hunpe, has been informed, and we hope he will relay the information to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for an official announcement.

“That is why many of us are seated here at the palace to receive visitors. The Akran has gone to rest with his great ancestors,” he said.

By Idowu Ajanaku

“Governor Aiyedatiwa’s contributions to the progress, growth and development of Ondo State, formerly as Deputy Governor, Acting Governor, and now Governor, are a pragmatic testament to his visionary leadership and passion for public service” – Gov Babajide Sanwo-Olu 

Call him a jinx-breaker of some sort, a history-maker or better still, a trail blazer and you might not be far from the truth. In fact, his intriguing yet, inspiring life trajectory resonates with that of great leaders, who as John Harold Johnson, the creative mind behind the popular Ebony Magazine referred to as those who have taught the world that ” the greater the obstacles we overcome in life, the greater the glory we achieve”. But who really is the subject of this tribute? That is the million- naira question

Good enough, the answer is right here before us as he is none other than Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa (born 12 January 1965), the first Ondo citizen from the backwaters of the coastal Ilaje community to mount the prestigious pedestal as the executive governor of the acclaimed Sunshine State. An astute businessman and people- oriented politician, who as fate would have it has served as governor of Ondo state since 2023. Before then he was the deputy governor of Ondo State from 2021 to 2023 under Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (of blessed memory ). But what has defined his sterling leadership capacity are the outstanding capabilities to bridge the gap between the people’s most pressing needs and government’s popular policies. Interestingly, these are amplified by the achievements especially in the critical areas of security, infrastructural development, agriculture, education, healthcare delivery, youth development, job creation, transportation and tourism.
His is therefore, a true testament of a leadership with character, commitment, consistency and of course, the courage to dare whatever odds he finds along the way. And to do so, he has taken those challenges as hurdles to rise above; scale over and keep moving along the crooked paths that have eventually taken him to the governorship glory, that he is reckoned with as at this day. That rhymes with the thoughts of the iconic Chinese martial arts sports gem, Bruce Lee who explained the wisdom in turning one’s challenges as stepping stones to greater heights. As Roger Crawford rightly noted: “Being challenged in life is inevitable, but being defeated is optional”. Aiyedatiwa made the right choice.
So good that this has been amply reflected with regards to his praiseworthy achievements, ever since his Inauguration on February 24, 2025 he has kept to the tenets of the 1999 constitution that the primary purpose of government include the guarantee of security and provision of welfare to the citizenry ( Section 14 (2) (b) ). His administration has therefore, strengthened securiity by completing the second phase of utility vehicle distribution to security agencies which has increased mobility and rapid response of the security operatives, Amotekun inclusive. Also, additional funds were released to support security operations across the state, ensuring greater safety for residents and their businesses processes.

With resoluteness of purpose combined with
resilience, creativity and being futuristic
in vision and action he and his able team have turned Ondo state into a construction site, indeed an industrial hub of the country, Nigeria. On infrastructural development for which he keeps receiving accolades, his administration’s resolve to revive and complete several abandoned projects left behind by previous governments is praiseworthy. So is the construction of the 7km road at Gbangbabalogun axis at Akure stands out. There is also the reconstruction and rehabilitation of over 60 kilometers of roads across various parts of the state . Apart from their even distribution, this salutary effort is making transportation easier for the citizens while improving access to economic and social opportunities. All these are worthy of commendation.
So is the rehabilitation and reconstruction of selected roads, totaling 60 kilometers, reducing travel time and improving connectivity.The administration has flagged off the dualisation of the Akure–Idanre Road, a critical route that supports commerce and tourism.

When it comes to educational development, the employment of over 2,000 teachers in both primary and secondary schools in addition to the construction and renovation of schools have cumulatively boosted quality education delivery. This would eventually reduce unemployment by providing jobs for several youths. Furthermore, to ease the financial burden on families, the government paid ₦633 million to cover the WAEC fees of 23,000 secondary school students. This noble initiative ensures that no child is left behind due to economic challenges. On the improvement of learning resource, the state introduced a 1:1 textbook-to-learner policy, ensuring that every pupil has access to core learning materials. In addition, books, tablets, and sports equipment were distributed to elementary schools to promote holistic education.The expected spin-off effects point to a brighter future.
In fact, one remarkable policy implementation is his prudent financial management of state funds. Apart from ensuring that all political appointees declare their assets to curb corruption Ondo State recorded an 82.6% reduction in its domestic debt profile, the highest percentage in the country.This reflects fiscal discipline and effective debt management strategies. And has gone a long way in stabilizing the financial system and restoring confidence in the state’s economy.

In a similar vein, in the health sector, the governor’s intervention in upgrading 102 health centres has largely improved access to primary healthcare delivery. In addition, a modern drug warehouse was commissioned in Akure, designed to improve the availability and distribution of essential drugs to health facilities across the state. The ongoing rehabilitation of 50 primary healthcare facilities is underway across different communities, strengthening the grassroots health system and improving access to essential care

Pointing the way to agriculture, over the years Ondo state has stood out with vibrant vision for food security, availability, and rural development. As the major cocoa producer in Nigeria, there is growing focus on chocolate processing, with several initiatives aimed at boosting local value addition. The state government and private investors have been developing cocoa processing facilities, including the Johnvents Cocoa Processing Factory, to increase the amount of cocoa processed locally. Also, on Agriculture and Youth Empowerment, investors were engaged in the agriculture and agribusiness sectors, while 100 youths received training in modern farming techniques, boosting food security and employment opportunities. That is in addition to acquiring 10,000 hectares of land to position agriculture as a key driver of economic growth of the state.
On the indusrrial landscape the state is actively pursuing the development of a deep-sea port at Araromi Seaside, also known as the Ondo Sea Port. This project is considered a key part of the state’s economic development strategy, with plans including a 75-kilometer stretch of unbroken Atlantic coastline and an adjacent Free Trade Zone. The deep-sea port is envisioned to be located two kilometers offshore. The governor has also emphasized the need for synergy among security agencies to protect border communities, which is likely related to the port development and its potential impact on the region.

One unique attribute of this administration is that of empowering women to ensure gender parity and equity In the light of this, grants were distributed to 1,000 low-income women to support small-scale businesses and income-generating activities. This has significantly assisted to reduce poverty and promote financial independence.

In all of these, the governors’ landmark achievements keep receiving well deserved commendations from within and outside the state because they are people- focused; they enjoy equitable distribution across Ondo state and have positively impacted on their Human Development Index ( HDI ). And as a grateful personality who spends quality time actively engaged in praising God every last Friday of the month there can only be more glorious years ahead.
Big congratulations!

Idowu Ajanaku is Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Ondo State

By Prof Tokunbo Akeredolu-Ale

The Igbo apprenticeship system stands as one of Africa’s most coherent indigenous models of professional formation, enterprise succession, and competency validation. Its logic is not academic credentialism but verified capability, ethical conduct, economic relevance, and social trust.

Apprenticeship within the Igbo system is governed by clearly understood norms: learning occurs through immersion, assessment is continuous and observational, recognition is earned through demonstrable mastery, and progression culminates in formal settlement that confers independent professional standing. These principles align directly, not symbolically but structurally, with the professional practice education, evaluation, and qualification architecture of Omniversity Imperial College.

Omniversity Imperial College Lagos Nigeria is positioned deliberately as a professional practice education, executive development, and competency validation institution. Its institutional logic mirrors the Igbo apprenticeship philosophy by operating exclusively within Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning, Competency Based Education, Structured Recognition, and ISO aligned governance frameworks. Just as the Igbo system does not rely on classroom examinations to determine readiness, Omniversity does not operate within Nigeria’s statutory university degree framework and does not award NUC regulated academic degrees. Its awards are explicitly professional, practice based, competency validated, and industry aligned, reflecting the same distinction the Igbo system has always maintained between learning and formal academic schooling.

In the Igbo apprenticeship model, the master practitioner functions as both mentor and assessor, continuously evaluating the apprentice’s technical competence, judgment, reliability, and ethical comportment.

Omniversity Imperial College institutionalizes this role through qualified assessors, professional panels, and evidence based evaluation processes. Assessment is grounded in portfolios, documented experience, applied projects, interviews, and competency mapping rather than abstract theory. This approach formalizes what has historically been informal but rigorous in Igbo commercial culture: the validation of real capability through sustained performance under supervision.

The settlement phase of the Igbo apprenticeship is the system’s ultimate validation mechanism. It represents recognition that the apprentice has achieved professional independence and is worthy of trust within the commercial ecosystem.

Omniversity’s *practice qualifications* perform an equivalent function within modern professional governance structures.

The *Bachelor of Practice* recognizes foundational competence and readiness for workforce participation.

The *Master of Practice* validates advanced applied mastery and leadership capability.

The *Doctor of Practice* confirms terminal professional authority grounded in industry impact and governance competence.

Each award is explicitly non academic, legally distinct from university degrees, and transparently positioned as a professional recognition of demonstrated capability.

This mirrors the Igbo principle that recognition follows proof, not aspiration.

The *Professor of Practice* designation at Omniversity further reflects indigenous recognition traditions.

In Igbo society, elders and master traders who have demonstrated sustained excellence, mentorship, and community impact are accorded elevated status and authority.

The *Professor of Practice* title similarly recognizes distinguished professionals with verifiable industry leadership and societal contribution. It is not an academic professorial rank and is not governed by statutory university rules. Instead, it aligns with global Professor of Practice norms that emphasize lived expertise, governance maturity, and professional legacy.
Regulatory clarity is a central strength of Omniversity Imperial College Lagos Nigeria’s framework and resonates with the Igbo system’s respect for defined roles and boundaries.

Under Nigerian law, universities are statutory degree awarding bodies, while professional institutes operate under corporate and professional governance.

Omniversity functions lawfully as a professional education provider, a practice qualification awarding institution, and a competency assessment body. It does not require NUC accreditation because it does not claim degree awarding university status. This clear separation mirrors the Igbo distinction between traditional trade mastery and formal Western education, each respected but not conflated.
Professional governance affiliations with bodies such as NITAD and CILRM further reinforce institutional legitimacy without misrepresenting academic authority. These affiliations support ethical standards, leadership development, and professional practice validation while explicitly not conferring academic accreditation. This governance model is consistent with the Igbo apprenticeship tradition, where legitimacy derives from peer recognition, guild like accountability, and reputation rather than state certification.

Omniversity’s integrated professional pathway reflects the structured progression embedded in the Igbo apprenticeship system. Advancement is sequential, competency driven, and evidence based. No level is honorary or automatic. Each stage demands verifiable performance, ethical alignment, and industry relevance. Certificates and transcripts carry explicit legends clarifying their professional, non academic nature, ensuring transparency for employers, partners, and regulators. This mirrors the Igbo emphasis on clear social signaling, where one’s status is understood through demonstrated role and function within the community.

Honorary distinctions at Omniversity Imperial College further parallel traditional Igbo recognition practices. In Igbo society, exceptional contributors to commerce, leadership, education, and community development are publicly honored based on merit, impact, and character. Omniversity’s honorary framework follows the same logic, awarding recognition strictly on demonstrated societal, educational, business, organizational, and leadership impact. These conferments are not earned through coursework and do not substitute for professional practice qualifications, reinforcing the integrity of both earned and honorary recognition.

In synthesizing indigenous African practice with globally intelligible professional frameworks, Omniversity Imperial College does not imitate tradition but formalizes it. The Igbo apprenticeship system provides historical proof that competency based, practice driven education produces resilient professionals and sustainable economic ecosystems. Omniversity Imperial College translates this proven logic into a structured, legally compliant, and internationally legible model of professional evaluation and recognition. In doing so, it affirms that Africa’s indigenous knowledge systems are not inferior precursors to modern education but foundational architectures upon which credible contemporary professional institutions can be built.

Professor Tokunbo Akeredolu-Ale PhD is the President Chairman BOT GC Omniversity Imperial College Missouri USA and Lagos Nigeria