One year after his passing, the remains of Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi, the esteemed designer of the Nigerian national flag, were interred in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.
The family proceeded with the burial after the anticipated state funeral from the Federal Government did not materialize. Pa Akinkunmi, who passed away on September 4, 2023, at the age of 87, had been awaiting the promised state honor. His son, Akinwumi, expressed the family’s frustration over the delay, stating, “We have had to arrange a fitting burial ourselves due to the lack of government action.”
Akinwumi revealed that the family had incurred costs of N2,000 daily to maintain the body at a morgue. As a result, the Oyo State government intervened, funding the burial arrangements. The three-day burial ceremony commenced on Wednesday, September 4, and concluded on Friday, September 6, 2024, in Ibadan.
In a statement, Akinwumi expressed hope that the Federal Government would eventually fulfill its commitment. He acknowledged the support from local officials, including members of the 7th Oyo State House of Assembly, Bolaji Ayorinde, and others who stood by the family during this period. Akinwumi noted that despite initial communication with the National Institute for Cultural Orientation regarding a state funeral, no significant progress was made.
Reflecting on his father’s legacy, Akinwumi described Pa Akinkunmi as a dignified and intelligent man who wished for no blemish on his reputation. “My father was a remarkable individual, and we believe he deserves the honor and recognition he was promised,” he said.
Born on May 10, 1936, in Ibadan, Pa Akinkunmi is celebrated for designing the Nigerian flag, a design selected in 1958 ahead of Nigeria’s independence, for which he received a £100 award. The Oyo State government has called on the Federal Government to acknowledge Pa Akinkunmi’s contributions to the nation. Prince Dotun Oyelade, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, quoted Acting Governor Barr. Bayo Lawal, who emphasized, “The commemoration of Pa Akinkunmi’s death should be a national festival. His contributions transcend regional boundaries, marking him as a national hero.”
The state government had also provided financial support for the burial and presented a symbolic national flag to the family in honor of Pa Akinkunmi’s legacy.
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