Nigerian Flag Designer, Taiwo Akinkunmi, Laid to Rest Without State Burial
Ibadan, Oyo State – The family of Taiwo Akinkunmi, the visionary designer of the Nigerian flag, finally laid him to rest on Friday after a year-long wait for a promised state funeral. Akinkunmi, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 87, was celebrated for his iconic contribution to the nation’s identity and unity.
The funeral service, organized by the Oyo State government, was held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in Ibadan, attended by a large gathering of mourners, including family, friends, government officials, and dignitaries. The ceremony paid a fitting tribute to Akinkunmi’s lasting legacy in shaping a symbol of national pride and unity that has endured for generations.
The funeral service was conducted by ministers from the Gospel Faith Mission International, who eulogized Akinkunmi’s life and achievements. Akinkunmi, fondly known as “Mr. Flag Man,” designed the Nigerian flag in 1958 and received a £100 award for his chosen design, which has become an iconic representation of the country’s identity.
The burial came after former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, criticized the President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government for failing to fulfill its promise of a state burial for Akinkunmi. Atiku described himself as “immensely disheartened” by the government’s failure to honour Akinkunmi’s legacy, stating that “no other patriot embodies the spirit of honour and sacrifice as profoundly as the revered ‘Mr. Flag Man’.”
Despite the lack of a state burial, the ceremony was a fitting tribute to Akinkunmi’s enduring impact on Nigerian identity and unity. The occasion was marked by eulogies, prayers, and a 21-gun salute, as mourners gathered to pay their respects to a man whose legacy continues to inspire generations of Nigerians.
Akinkunmi’s family had expressed disappointment and frustration at the government’s failure to honour its promise of a state burial. Still, they expressed gratitude for the support and tributes received from across the country. As the nation bids farewell to a true patriot and icon, his legacy will endure through the flag he designed, a symbol of unity and pride for generations to come.
