Over a year after his demise, Taiwo Akinkunmi, the designer of the national flag, was interred at his Ibadan residence on Friday.
The interment of Akinkunmi was preceded by a funeral service held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium on Liberty Road, Ibadan. The service had scant attendance, primarily consisting of representatives of the Oyo State Government, students from Akinkunmi’s alma mater, family members, parishioners of Gospel Faith Mission International (GOFAMINT), and the national choir.
The burial on Friday marked the end of a year-long wait by the family for the federal government to take responsibility for giving Akinkunmi, who died on August 29, 2023, a state burial.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Akinkunmi Akinwumi, the son of the deceased, said the family proceeded with the burial after the federal government failed to fulfill its promise of a befitting burial. Weary of the unfulfilled promises, he said the family went ahead with the burial, having received funding support from the Oyo State Government and well-meaning individuals.
Akinwumi described the burial as his happiest moment, as it brought to an end the battles fought to secure a national burial for his father. He said the family found strength in the fact that their late father had always cautioned them against being angry about not receiving the desired recognition from Nigeria and instead to focus on contributing to the nation’s improvement.
Asked how best to immortalize the late Akinkunmi, he said the family was open to any manner deemed fit by the federal government.
In his remarks, the acting governor of Oyo State, Bayo Lawal, said that governments at all levels have much to do to immortalize and sustain the legacies of Taiwo Akinkunmi. Describing Akinkunmi as a national figure, Lawal argued that the burial should have been a federal government affair rather than being left to the deceased’s family and the Oyo State Government.
Lawal noted that Akinkunmi’s legacies, including designing the flag, emphasize that unity and peace are crucial for national development. He added that the green in the national flag reminds the nation’s leaders of the imperative to maximize the nation’s potential in agriculture and solid minerals for its prosperity.
Chairman of the Oyo State Advisory Council, Mr. Bolaji Ayorinde, in his remarks at the event, said the national flag reminds Nigerians that the ideals of peace, unity, and progress can be achieved if commonality and harmony are fostered among communities. He added that Nigerians could also learn from Akinkunmi’s belief in education and knowledge, the consideration of the greater good, embracing a culture of creativity in nation-building, and strength in diversity.
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Delivering a sermon at the funeral service, General Secretary of GOFAMINT, Pastor Femi Omowumi, said Akinkunmi demonstrated that one need not hold a political office to contribute to the development of the nation.
Although he acknowledged that leaders have a greater role, Omowumi emphasized that Nigerians must also recognize the need to contribute their quota to the country’s development. He urged both political office holders and Nigerians at large to avoid using their positions for selfish purposes and to be guided by the fact that everyone will give an account of their deeds, whether alive or dead.
Family members, including Mrs. Remilekun Akinkunmi and Mr. Oladapo Olabisi, in their tributes, said the late Akinkunmi taught them to be accommodating and loving.
Members of the Oyo State cabinet, members of the state advisory council, former Oyo Assembly lawmaker Honourable Ibrahim Bolomope, GOFAMINT members, and personnel from various security agencies were among those attending the funeral service.
