The designer of Nigeria’s national flag Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi is finally to be buried in Oyo state after a year long wait by the family. The family had initially been informed that a state burial will be organised for him, but as no further communication was made afterwards, the family are going ahead with the burial.
The family of the Flag designer have also expressed frustration for the non communication from the government as reported by BBC.
Akinkunmi also known as “Mr Flag Man,” passed at the age of 87. He was a humble man who painted his house in the green and white colours of the national flag.
His son, Akinwumi Akinkunmi, hopes that his father’s contribution to Nigeria will be honoured during his funeral this week in Oyo State, which the state government has agreed to fund.“We have to give him the befitting burial he deserves,” Akinwumi reportedly told the BBC Focus on Africa podcast.
Akinkunmi’s simple green-white-green stripes design for the Nigerian flag replaced the colonial flag that featured the British Union Jack on Independence in October 1960.
Akinkunmi had featured a red sun at the centre of his initial design symbolising divine protection and guidance, but the committee removed it. Akinkunmi was awarded £100 for his winning design.
Born in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, as one of ten children, the late Akinkunmi spent his early years in the northern part of the country due to his parents’ work. He had described his upbringing in a polygamous family as happy.
Returning to Ibadan to complete his education, Akinkunmi attended a secondary school he described as a “mini-Nigeria,” because of the presence of students from different regions of the country.
Akinkunmi’s flag design reflected Nigeria’s diversity, with the green symbolising Nigeria’s rich agricultural heritage and the white representing peace and unity.Agriculture was a passion for Akinkunmi, and after Nigeria’s independence, he returned to work with the Ministry of Agriculture, where he served as a civil servant until his retirement in 1994.
Despite his significant contribution to the nation, few people knew about Akinkunmi’s role in designing the flag until Nigeria’s 50th independence anniversary, when he was recognised as one of 50 distinguished Nigerians.
In 2014, following lobbying by an Oyo State politician, Akinkunmi received the title of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), one of Nigeria’s highest honours.
After his death, a senator successfully moved a motion for Akinkunmi to receive a state burial. However, with no arrangements made, the family has been paying 2,000 naira daily to keep his body in a mortuary.
In June, they learnt that the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) was tasked with organising the state funeral, but communication has since ceased.Frustrated by the delay, Akinkunmi’s family decided to proceed with the burial, supported by the Oyo State government.
“My late father was an easy-going person who didn’t want anything to tarnish his image,” Akinwumi said, adding that his father was well-respected and beloved by all who knew him.
The late Flag designer would always be remembered for his contribution to Nigeria’s national monuments.
(Source: BBC)
