The family of Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi, the late designer of Nigeria’s national flag, has laid him to rest one year after his death.
Akinkunmi died on August 29, 2023, at the age of 87. After waiting for the state burial the federal government promised but didn’t fulfil, his family decided to go ahead and bury him with the support of the Oyo State Government.
His funeral service, organised by the Oyo State government, was held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in Ibadan, attended by a large gathering of mourners, including family, friends, and government officials.
The funeral service was conducted by ministers from the Gospel Faith Mission International.
Speaking at the funeral ceremony, the Oyo State acting governor, Mr Bayo Lawal, described Akinkunmi as the pride of the state, nation, and the world at large because the national flag is flown in all Nigerian embassies across the world.
He said the flag, as an enduring legacy for Nigeria, would continue to be for many years as long as Nigeria stayed united.
The acting governor believed the flag would continue to serve as a reminder for Nigerians across the globe to remain united.
He said: “The Green embodies agriculture and vast natural resources that we have in Nigeria, while the White symbolises peace, tranquillity, and calmness.
“Nothing can be more relevant than ensuring peace and harmony among the diverse tribes we have across all the states in Nigeria, because without peace, there can’t be progress and development.
“So, we have to thank Pa Akinkunmi that he had envisioned that we need peace to drive the nation’s economy.”
Lawal, however, charged the Federal Government (FG) to ensure that the legacy of the deceased remained duly recognised and immortalised.
He called on the FG to be actively involved and not to leave the burial ceremony of Akinkunmi to his family and the state government alone.
Mr Akinwumi, the son of the deceased, appreciated the Oyo State Government for its contributions toward the burial of his father.
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