Family Moves Ahead With Burial Of Nigeria Flag Designer Taiwo Akinkunmi After Government Fails To Grant State Funeral

Family Moves Ahead With Burial Of Nigeria Flag Designer Taiwo Akinkunmi After Government Fails To Grant State Funeral

Sir Taiwo Akinkunmi, the man who designed the Nigerian flag, will be laid to rest today, September 6, in Ibadan, Oyo State. His family was left with no choice but to proceed with his burial after waiting for over a year for a state funeral that was promised but never materialized.

Akinkunmi, who passed away on September 4, 2023, at the age of 87, had been expected to receive the honor of a state funeral from the Federal Government.

His son, Akinwumi Akinkunmi, explained to the BBC Focus on Africa podcast that while they had hoped the government would fulfill its promise, no steps were taken to organize the event. “We have to give him the befitting burial he deserves,” he said.

The family had to bear the cost of storing Akinkunmi’s body in a morgue, paying N2,000 per day while waiting for any government action. Eventually, the Oyo State Government stepped in to assist with funding the burial rites.

The funeral activities began on Wednesday, September 4, and will conclude today in Ibadan. The family remains hopeful that the government will acknowledge its promise, but they have received little communication beyond an initial call.

Akinwumi expressed gratitude for the support of the Oyo State government and other local officials, while noting that delaying further would have dishonored his father’s memory.