THE family of Late Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi, the designer of Nigeria’s flag, today, announced that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has allocated funds for their patriarch’s burial.
Akinkunmi’s flag design was chosen as the top entry in a 1958 competition aimed at selecting a new national flag for Nigeria.
A native of Abeokuta in Ogun State, Akinkunmi resided in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, until his passing on August 29, 2023.
A statement by the family’s spokesman, Samuel Akinkunmi in Ibadan, said, “This is to notify the general public that Governor Makinde has released funds for the burial of our patriarch.
“He died in August last year and he has not been buried as of today. The reasons are not far-fetched. The Federal Government sent a representative led by the Minister for Information and National Orientation, Muhammad Idris. He promised us that the government would sponsor the burial. Also, the state government pledged to support the burial.
“At a time when we fixed dates, we approached them and they were not forthcoming. We decided to bury him on our own and they said we should not do that at the time. But to God be the glory, Governor Makinde has fulfilled his promise. We wish to thank him, members of the 7th Assembly, members of the state Advisory Council and everyone who took the matter up.
“We also want to thank Yoruba World Congress UK for their support. They wrote an open letter to President Bola Tinubu challenging the Nigerian government and the state government for their neglect. Although, the Presidency is yet to fulfil its promise at the time of this correspondence,” Akinkunmi stressed.
