The Nation Newspaper

Tag: National flag

  • Family of national flag designer thanks FG for fulfilling promise 

    Family of national flag designer thanks FG for fulfilling promise 

    The family of Late Pa. Taiwo Akinkunmi, designer of Nigeria’s National Flag, has thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Federal Government for fulfilling its promise by honouring the deceased after the befitting burial sponsored by the Oyo State Government. 

    RecThe Federal Government donated N30 million to the family of the national flag designer.

    The Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Lanre Issa-Onilu, accompanied by the Oyo Director of the agency, Olukemi Afolayan, made official presentation of the cheque on behalf of Federal Government at the Elebu, Ibadan residence of the late hero last Thursday.

    The late Akinkunmi died on August 29, 2023 at 87.

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    On September 4, 2023, President Bola Tinubu sent a government delegation led by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Malagi, on a condolence visit where it pledged burial and financial support to the family.

    A statement by son of the deceased, Engr. Akinkunmi Akinwunmi, appreciated the gesture by the government. 

    The family appealed to government for prompt immortalisation of Akinkunmi as moved  by the Senator Sharafadeen Alli (Oyo South) supported by Sen. Abdulfatah Buhari (Oyo North) and Sen. Yunus Akintunde (Oyo Central). 

    The statement said it will be a greater joy of the family if children of the deceased were granted government employment to spur patriotism in many Nigerians and teach the younger generations. 

  • National flag’s designer Taiwo Akinkunmi will be given befitting burial, says NICO

    National flag’s designer Taiwo Akinkunmi will be given befitting burial, says NICO

    The management of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) has asserted that the designer of Nigeria’s national flag, late Pa Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi would be given a befitting burial.

    Akinwunmi who designed the Nigerian flag died 10 months ago.

    NICO’s decision, according to a statement followed the cry of the family.

    There is a trending news on social media platforms over the seeming neglect of the burial arrangement of the late national hero.

    The statement which was signed by Caleb Nor, media aide to NICO Executive Secretary, Biodun Ajiboye, said it was not possible for President Bola Tinubu to abandon the national hero.

    The statement reads: “As a caring government under the listening leadership of His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and in line with what seems contradictory to our culture, the Institute has stepped in with a sincere interest to uphold our culture and obliterate actions considered inappropriate to our cultural norms.

    “Executive Secretary/CEO of NICO, Otunba Biodun Ajiboye said the decision was informed by the need to uphold our age-long respect for the dead as well as honour to a past hero that has contributed significantly to the making of Nigeria.

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    “It is a prominent part of our culture as a people not to neglect our heroes. Characteristically, our culture does not ignore this kind of cry. To which extent, the cry of the family of late Pa Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi, the man who designed the Nigerian flag has come to the attention of the federal government and NICO has compassionately, considered taking up a major role and responsibility in coordinating and collaborating with other agencies that may be necessary in giving a befitting burial to this our fallen hero.

    “As we know, the flag remains one of the greatest tangible heritages of this country, and NICO has the mandate to promote both tangible and intangible cultural heritage.

    “The Honourable Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa is deeply concerned about this situation and has directed NICO to wade into this situation immediately and as such, we are making contacts with the family so as to get the details of how the federal government can come in to assist the family to give a befitting burial to Pa Akinkunmi”, Ajiboye added.