Taiwo Michael Akinkunmi, the designer of the Nigerian flag, will be laid to rest this week in Oyo State, where he lived. His burial comes a year after his death at the age of 87.
The delay was due to a promise from the Federal Government for a state funeral, which has yet to be organized.
During this period, Akinkunmi’s family has been incurring costs of N2,000 daily to keep his body in the morgue.
In June, Akinkunmi’s family learned that the National Institute for Cultural Orientation, NICO, had been tasked with arranging the state funeral.
However, aside from one phone call, the institution has not provided further updates, leading the family to fear that further delays would tarnish Akinkunmi’s legacy.
The Oyo State government has now intervened to finance the burial arrangements for Akinkunmi. It’s worth noting that Akinkunmi was only recognized as one of 50 distinguished Nigerians during Nigeria’s 50th independence anniversary.
He was later honored with the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) in 2014, one of Nigeria’s highest awards.
Following Akinkunmi’s death, a senator sponsored a motion for a state burial, a promise now being fulfilled by the Oyo State government, as the Federal Government has yet to act on its commitment. Akinkunmi is affectionately remembered by many as “Mr. Flag Man.”
(allnews.ng)
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