One year after his death, the remains of the late designer of the Nigerian national flag, Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi, has been buried in Ibadan.
The late Pa Akinkunmi’s family proceeded with the burial after the long wait for a promised state funeral from the federal government which did not materialise.
Akinkunmi died on September 4, 2023, at the age of 87 and the family had waited for the state burial by the federal government in honour of the deceased elder statesman.
“We have to give him the befitting burial he deserves,” his son, Akinwumi said.
Akinwumi said the family had waited patiently for the government to fulfil its promise, adding, “Still, as the months went by, it became clear that no arrangements were being made”.
He revealed that the family had been paying N2,000 a day to keep the body in a morgue.
“This is why the Oyo State government decided to fund the burial rites for the flag designer,” he added..
A three-day burial plan for Akinkunmi started on Wednesday, September 4 and ended yesterday.
In a statement, the deceased’s son said the family still hopes that the federal government would fulfil its promises regarding the burial.
“While the family is waiting for the government to fulfil its promises, it appreciates the roles played by members of the 7th Oyo State House of Assembly, the chairman, Oyo State Advisory Council, Bolaji Ayorinde, and members of the council for standing by the family,” he stated.
Akinwumi said in June, the family found out that the Arts Ministry’s National Institute for Cultural Orientation was tasked with arranging a state funeral for their late father.
However, he stated that there was no further communication or progress from the institution after an initial phone call from the ministry.
He expressed the fears that waiting longer would dishonour his father.
“My late father was an easy-going person who didn’t want anything to tarnish his image. He was well brought up, he was a very intelligent man and a good person that everyone wanted to associate with,” he added.
Born on May 10, 1936, in Ibadan, Oyo State, Akinkunmi is renowned for designing the Nigerian flag for which he received a £100 award after his design was selected in 1958 ahead of Nigeria’s independence.
Meanwhile, Oyo State government has urged the federal government to give deserved honour to the late Pa Akinkunmi as an icon who deserved the nation’s identity.
The state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, in a statement quoted the acting Governor, Barr. Bayo Lawal, as saying, “The celebration of the death of an iconic figure like 87-year-old Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi who designed the Nigerian flag 64 years ago at the age of 23 should be a national festival.
“The fact that Pa Akinkunmi belongs to this part of the country does not detract from his recognition as a national hero”, the Acting governor said this at the funeral service held in honour of the late icon at the Liberty Stadium in Ibadan.
According to him, the late Pa Akinkunmi represents the classic example of a national icon, urging that the federal government should not abdicate its duty to give him deserved respect and honour, whether alive or dead.
