By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Mautin Akande and.his family and Akran’s Palace |
BADAGRY, LAGOS — The Palace of the Akran of Badagry was filled with reflection and gratitude on Sunday as renowned artist and photographer Mautin Akande a.k.a Oldskool, the Creative Director, Mautin September Studios, accompanied by his family, paid a condolence visit following the transition of His Royal Majesty, Aholu Menu-Toyi I.
Akonde, a prominent figure in the Nigerian creative industry, described the late monarch as a visionary leader who didn't just rule a kingdom, but actively nurtured the dreams of its youth. His visit served as both a personal farewell and a call to the traditional leadership to uphold the legacy of the departed king.
Reflecting on his lifelong connection to the monarch, Akonde shared a touching story of how his admiration began in childhood. "This is to show my sincere love to the family of the King," Akande stated during the visit.
"When I was small, I tried all I could to see the King because I’ve heard a lot about him. I eventually met him at our prize-giving day at Badagry Grammar School when I was in Junior Secondary School." This early encounter sparked a relationship that would later see Akonde transition from a student admirer to a trusted professional within the royal circle.
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Akande’s professional career was significantly shaped by the Akran’s patronage, a fact he acknowledged with deep humility. He recalled serving as the director of the 30th art exhibition, an event that led to the King’s wife appointing him as the official family photographer.
"I’m not the best photographer in Badagry, but I want to appreciate the privilege," Akande remarked.
He further revealed that the Akran commissioned him to paint the First Storey Building for notable figures like Gen. Yakuba Gowon, Lateef Jakande and the former Ooni of Ife. "Baba gave me the opportunity to present to Yakubu Gowon; this gave me the opportunity to be proud of my profession," he added.
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| Mautin Akande presenting first story building painting to Gen. Yakuba Gowon at the 30th anniversary of Akran in 2008. |
Speaking with News Peddlers after the palace engagement, Akonde emphasized the moral lessons learned from the Akran’s life, urging the surviving chiefs and the community to maintain the standard of excellence set by the monarch. "From all Baba has done and all I’ve heard, I want everyone to know that it is good to be good," Akande said.
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| Akran of Badagry and Gen. Yakubu Gowon |
He concluded with a plea to the King’s chiefs, urging them to redouble their efforts in service to the kingdom, stating, "I plead with them; they should do better than when Baba was alive" to ensure the continued progress of the Badagry Kingdom.
"I'll also want to cease this medium to encourage the Princes and princesses to continue to uphold the noble values, humility, and pleasant disposition exemplified by their father and royal patriarch," he added.