We've Been Paying N2,000 Naira Daily To The Morgue, Hoping FG Fulfill It’s Promise, Says Family of Nigerian Flag Designer, Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi

We've Been Paying N2,000 Naira Daily In The Morgue, Hoping FG Fulfill It’s Promise, Says Family of Nigerian Flag Designer Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi After Burial In Ibadan

By: Abdulwasiu Akintunde 

The family of Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi, the designer of Nigeria’s National Flag, has finally buried him after waiting for over a year for a state funeral that never happened.

The burial ceremonies took place at Liberty Stadium in Ibadan, Akinkunmi’s residence from Wednesday to Friday.

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News further reports that Akinkunmi had passed away on September 4, 2023, at the age of 87 and the Federal Government had promised the family a state burial, but after several months of delay, the family decided to proceed with the funeral on their own.

One of his sons, Akinwunmi Akinkunmi expressed disappointment with neglect of the national hero by the Federal Government, revealing that the family had been paying N2,000 Naira daily to keep their father’s remains in the morgue, hoping the Government would keep its promise, revealing that the family eventually decided to move forward with the burial without further delay without inputs fromnthe Federal Government.

OTN News however gathered that the Oyo State Government stepped in to support the family, covering the burial expenses. 

Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi, born on May 10, 1936, gained national recognition for designing Nigeria’s green and white flag in 1958. 

OTN News recalls that his design was selected in a national competition, and he was awarded £100 for his contribution to Nigeria’s identity.

Oyo State’s Acting Governor, Bayo Lawal, called for greater recognition of Akinkunmi’s legacy, urging the Federal Government to honor him appropriately. 

Lawal remarked that Akinkunmi’s contribution to Nigeria’s national identity, made when he was just 23 years old, truly deserve to be celebrated on a national scale.

During the funeral service, the Acting Governor emphasized that Pa Akinkunmi represents the ideal national hero, deserving of respect and recognition both in life and death.