Akinkunmi, designer of Nigerian flag, laid to rest one year later

Mr. Taiwo Akinkunmi, the creator of the Nigerian flag, has been buried after a year delay.

Acting Governor of Oyo State, Mr. Bayo Lawal, honoured Akinkunmi’s memory at the funeral rites held on Friday at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in Ibadan, praising him as a model of excellence whose influence on Nigeria and the world will endure for generations.

Persecondnews recalls that Akinkunmi died on Aug. 29, 2023, at the age of 87.

According to Lawal, Akinkunmi’s design of the national flag has made him a lasting source of pride for Oyo State, Nigeria, and the global community, as it waves proudly in Nigerian embassies worldwide.

The flag, an enduring symbol of Nigerian unity, will continue to fly high for generations to come, as long as the nation remains 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 the 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 urged the Federal Government to take an active role in perpetuating Akinkunmi’s legacy, ensuring his contributions are duly acknowledged and immortalized for posterity.

He urged the FG to go beyond mere attendance at the burial ceremony and instead take a proactive stance in honouring Akinkunmi’s memory, rather than leaving the responsibility solely to his family and the state government.

Mr. Akinwumi Akinkunmi, son of the late flag designer, thanked the Oyo State Government for its financial and logistical support for his father’s burial ceremony.

He said the family was still awaiting assistance from the federal government, which had not yet contributed to the burial expenses.