Former vice president Atiku Abubakar has expressed disappointment over the government’s failure to honour the late Taiwo Akinkunmi, designer of the Nigerian flag, with a state burial.
News About Nigeria reports that Akinkunmi passed away in August 2023 at the age of 87, and his family has been waiting for the promised state burial.
Stemming from the federal government’s unfulfilled promise of a state burial, Akinkunmi’s family resolved to lay him to rest in Ibadan this weekend, with the Oyo state government shouldering the funeral costs.
After a year of waiting, the family incurred daily morgue expenses of 2,000 naira as the National Institute for Cultural Orientation failed to follow up on arrangements for a state burial.
The Oyo state government’s intervention has enabled the family to proceed with the burial, as the federal government’s commitment remains unmet.
Reacting to the development, Atiku, in a post on his X handle, faulted the federal government over the failure to accord the late flag designer a state burial that was promised to his family when he passed on.
He said, “I am immensely disheartened that the Federal Government under Tinubu’s administration has failed to bestow upon the late Michael Akinkunmi, the creator of our national flag, the state burial he was so rightfully promised. No other patriot embodies the spirit of honour and sacrifice as profoundly as the revered ‘Mr. Flag Man.’ – AA
late Akinkunmi was recognised as one of 50 distinguished Nigerians when Nigeria celebrated her 50th Independence Anniversary and in 2014.
He was conferred with Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), one of Nigeria’s highest awards.
