Rev Prophet Dr Hungbenu Michael Olusegun, Founder of Celestrial Deliverance Church of Christ, Zhidu Village, Abuja, has issued a detailed counsel to the new Akran of Badagry and the entire Badagry Traditional Council, urging them to protect the kingdom’s culture and traditions while prioritizing the welfare and unity of the people.
The Prophet first paid tribute to the late monarch, His Royal Majesty Oba De Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi 1, JP, the 17th Akran of Badagry Kingdom, who passed on October 20, 2024, at the age of 94 after a 47-year reign. “Oba De Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi 1 was crowned on August 23, 1977. For nearly five decades, he sat on the throne of our fathers with wisdom, dignity, and peace. He was a father not only to Badagry but to all of Lagos West. May his soul continue to rest in perfect peace,” the Prophet said. He extended his condolences to the royal family, the Egun people in Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, and all sons and daughters of Badagry Kingdom.
Speaking directly to the reigning monarch, His Royal Majesty Oba Dr Olalekan James Ayorinde, Aholu Saheed Ademola, Toyi 1, who was installed on April 19, 2025, Rev Prophet Dr Hungbenu Michael Olusegun offered prophetic counsel as a neutral spiritual leader and proud son of Badagry. “Your Majesty, the throne you now occupy is not a seat of oppression but a seat of service. I urge you and the entire Badagry Traditional Council to do everything in your power to protect and respect our sacred culture and tradition. Do not allow modern politics to erode the customs that have defined us for centuries,” he said.
The Prophet charged the council to protect tradition by ensuring that all chieftaincy rites, festivals, and customs are preserved and passed uncorrupted to the next generation; to seek the welfare of the people by using the influence of the throne to attract development, speak for the voiceless, and defend the interests of Badagry indigenes; and to promote unity by healing any divisions that may have arisen during the succession process and uniting all factions, families, and communities under one kingdom. “A king who does not fight for his people’s welfare has missed the purpose of the throne. Let the new reign be remembered not for titles but for transformation,” the Prophet added. He emphasized that he has no bias against any individual or family and is not speaking from a place of political interest.
In a charge to Badagry and Lagos West leaders, Rev Prophet Dr Hungbenu Michael Olusegun called on all traditional rulers, political leaders, spiritual leaders, youth leaders, and well-meaning people of Lagos West and Badagry to wake from slumber. “For too long, we have slept while our region lagged behind in development. We have compromised good and firm standards because of greed and covetousness. We have sold our birthright for temporary gain. That era must end now,” the Prophet declared. He charged leaders to wake up from slumber, refuse compromise, think progress not pocket, strive to be partners in progress not slaves, and demand accountability. “A slave waits to be fed. A partner in progress builds the table. Badagry and Lagos West are not meant to be beggars at the feast of Lagos prosperity. We are contributors. We are stakeholders. Let us begin to act like it,” he said. “I am not here to destroy anyone. I am here to wake everyone. Let no leader feel attacked. Let every leader feel challenged to do better,” he added.
On political structure, Rev Prophet Dr Hungbenu Michael Olusegun called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to reconsider the zoning arrangement for the governorship of Lagos State. He noted that for decades, Lagos West Senatorial District, which includes Badagry, Ojo, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Amuwo-Odofin, Alimosho, and other large councils, has produced Deputy Governors but never a substantive Governor. “Badagry has given Lagos dedication without complaint. Our people have served as deputies. We have supported every administration. But the time has come for Lagos West to produce a Governor. Not just a Deputy Governor,” the Prophet declared. He argued that holding the position of Deputy Governor should be seen as service already rendered to the state, not merely a waiting room for succession. “Our political structure must mature. A Deputy Governor is not an apprentice. He or she has governed alongside the number one citizen. After serving as Deputy, if that person is from Lagos West, they should be supported to become Governor in their own right – not forced to wait for a ‘turn’ that never comes.” Prophet Hungbenu emphasized that he has no personal candidate and no bias against any political party or individual. “I am not a politician. I am a prophet. I speak for the voiceless people of Badagry. Lagos West is not a junior partner in this state. Let us act like one family,” he said. He specifically appealed to President Tinubu to use his wisdom to midwife this structural justice in the interest of lasting peace and inclusion.
Addressing security, Rev Prophet Dr Hungbenu Michael Olusegun called for intensified and holistic action across Lagos West and Badagry. He noted that threats such as cultism, land grabbing, gang violence, drug abuse, domestic insecurity, and border-related crimes given Badagry’s proximity to the Republic of Benin continue to trouble the peace of the people. “Security is not only about bandits and terrorists. Security is a widow able to sleep without fear. It is a farmer going to his farm and returning home. It is a child walking to school safely. In Badagry and Lagos West, we still have work to do,” the Prophet said. He issued a serious appeal to the Lagos State Government, the Commissioner of Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Department of State Services, the military, and local vigilante groups to adopt a more intensive approach. His specific demands include increased patrols along the Seme Border corridor and Badagry creeks to curb smuggling and illegal migration, a community policing revamp with more police posts in villages and other semi-urban settlements, a cultism eradication task force, intelligence sharing between security agencies and traditional rulers, and lighting and infrastructure with streetlights and access roads in major roads and border communities. “We cannot keep doing the same thing and expect different results. A holistic approach means involving traditional councils, spiritual leaders, youth groups, and women’s associations in security intelligence. It means funding our security agencies properly. It means no more excuses,” he stated.
He offered spiritual counsel, saying, “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but we must also do the practical work. Pray without ceasing, but also report suspicious activity. Love your neighbor, but also secure your street. God gives protection, but He also gives wisdom. Do not be afraid, but do not be careless.” He declared a prophetic prayer over the region: “Father, in the name of Jesus, I cover Badagry and Lagos West with the blood of Jesus. Every plan of the enemy to shed innocent blood in this land, we scatter it. Every coven of cultists planning violence, Lord, expose them and uproot them. Give wisdom to our traditional rulers. Give strength to our security agencies. Give peace to every home. And let the people of Badagry sleep without fear. This is my prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Rev Prophet Dr Hungbenu Michael Olusegun announced that he will be organizing a special prayer session for the peace, unity, development, and security of Badagry and Lagos State as a whole. The prayer, which will hold before the end of May 2026, is open to all traditional rulers, Christian and Muslim leaders, youth groups, security personnel, and well-meaning residents of Badagry. “We will pray for the new Akran, Oba Dr Olalekan James Ayorinde, that God grants him wisdom to lead well. We will pray for the Traditional Council to walk in unity and integrity. We will pray against cultism, land grabbing, border insecurity, and every form of violence in Lagos West. We will pray for our security agencies – that God protects them and gives them victory. And we will pray for President Tinubu and Governor Sanwo-Olu – that God gives them wisdom to do what is right,” the Prophet said. Details of the prayer session will be released through his church secretariat.
In a final statement, the Prophet said, “I speak not for any candidate. I speak not for any political party. I speak for the soul of Badagry and the justice of Lagos State. To the new Akran: protect our culture. To the Traditional Council: seek the people’s welfare. To the leaders of Lagos West: wake from slumber. Do not compromise good standards with greed. Be partners in progress, not slaves. To the government: hear the cry of Lagos West on governance and security. And to every Badagry son and daughter: I am praying for you. The late Oba De Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi 1 served 47 years. Let his legacy be built upon, not broken. Nigeria will rise when every zone is treated with dignity – and when every citizen is safe.”
Rev Prophet Dr Hungbenu Michael Olusegun is the Founder of Celestrial Deliverance Church of Christ, Zhidu Village, behind Piwoyi Village, off Lugbe Airport Road, FCT Abuja. Media inquiries are directed to the church secretariat at 09134424402, 07057401112, 07031949226, or hungbenumichaelolusegun@gmail.com.
