The family of Taiwo Akinkunmi, the late designer of the Nigerian national flag, has proceeded with his burial after waiting for over a year for a promised state funeral that never came to fruition. Akinkunmi, who passed away last year, was celebrated for his contribution to Nigeria’s national identity but was not accorded the state honor his family was expecting.
The decision to go ahead with the burial follows months of silence from the government despite initial promises of a state-sponsored funeral to honor Akinkunmi’s legacy. The family had hoped the government would fulfill its pledge to recognize the late patriot who, in 1959, designed the green-white-green national flag that has become an enduring symbol of Nigeria.
“We waited for a year, believing the government would honor Baba as promised. But nothing happened. We could not keep him any longer, so we decided to give him a befitting burial ourselves,” said a family spokesperson during the burial proceedings.
The designer of the Nigerian flag, Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi, passed away on August 29, 2023, at the age of 87 after a brief illness. Akinkunmi, a renowned patriot, is remembered for his simple yet profound design that became the official symbol of Nigerian independence on October 1, 1960.
The family expressed disappointment over the unfulfilled promise, citing the lack of government acknowledgment as a disrespect to the legacy of a man who gave the country a symbol of unity and pride. The situation has drawn reactions from various quarters, with many Nigerians taking to social media to express their dismay at the government’s handling of the situation.
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Several notable figures have also criticized the government for not keeping its word. “It is unfortunate that a man who gave us an enduring national symbol did not get the honor he deserved,” said one prominent historian. “This is a call to the government to recognize and honor our national heroes while they are alive, not just with empty promises.”
The burial was a modest yet emotional event attended by family, close friends, and a few well-wishers. Though not the state funeral initially anticipated, the event was marked by heartfelt tributes celebrating Akinkunmi’s life and his contributions to the nation.
As the family finally lays Taiwo Akinkunmi to rest, many Nigerians are calling for a reflection on how the country honors its heroes and the promises made to them and their families.
