Nigeria’s flag designer’s family proceeds with burial after year-long wait for state funeral

The family of the designer of the Nigerian national flag, Taiwo Akinkunmi, has been forced to proceed with his burial after a year-long wait for a promised state funeral that never materialised.

Akinkunmi, who died on September 4, 2023, at 87, was supposed to be honoured with a state funeral by the Federal Government.

“We have to give him the befitting burial he deserves,” his son, Akinwumi Akinkunmi, told the BBC Focus on Africa podcast.

Akinwumi said the family had waited patiently for the government to fulfil its promise, but as the months went by, it became clear that no arrangements were being made, BBC reports Wednesday.

He revealed to BBC that the family have been paying N2,000 a day to keep the body at a morgue.

This was why the Oyo State Government decided to step in to fund the burial rites for the flag designer.

PUNCH Online reported in August that a three-day burial plan for Akinkunmi will commence on Wednesday, September 4 and end, on Friday, September 6, 2024, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

In a statement, his son said the family was still hopeful of hearing from the government as regards its promises in respect of the burial plan.

“While the family is waiting for the government to fulfil its promises, it appreciates the roles played by members of the 7th Oyo State House of Assembly, the Chairman, Oyo State Advisory Council, Bolaji Ayorinde, and members of the council for standing by the family,” he stated.

Akinwumi told BBC that in June, they found out that the arts ministry’s National Institute for Cultural Orientation was tasked with arranging a state funeral.

However, despite an initial phone call, there has been no further communication or progress from the institution.

Akinwumi fears that waiting longer will dishonour his father’s memory.

“My late father was an easy-going person who didn’t want anything to tarnish his image,” his son told the BBC.

“He was well brought up, he was a very intelligent man and a good person that everyone wanted to associate with,” he added.

Born on May 10, 1936, in Ibadan, Oyo State, Akinkunmi is renowned for designing the Nigerian flag in 1958, for which he received a £100 award after his design was chosen.