The family of Taiwo Akinkunmi, the designer of Nigeria’s national flag, has appealed to the Federal Government for the immortalisation of the late Akinkunmi. The family also requested employment opportunities for his children.
This appeal was made in a statement on Saturday by Akinkunmi Akinwumi, the deceased’s son. The request follows a recent N30 million donation from the Federal Government, presented two days earlier.
The N30 million was officially handed over by Lanre Issa-Onilu, Director General of the National Orientation Agency, alongside Olukemi Afolayan, the Oyo State Director of the agency, at the Akinkunmi family’s Ibadan residence. This gesture came two years after Akinkunmi’s passing.
In their statement, the family expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for fulfilling its promise to honor the memory of Taiwo Akinkunmi, despite the Oyo State Government having already given him a fitting burial. The family specifically appealed for the Federal Government to act on the Senate’s earlier resolution regarding the immortalisation of Akinkunmi, a motion moved by Oyo South Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli and supported by Senators Abdulfatah Buhari and Yunus Akintunde, along with the Minister of Information and National Orientation during his condolence visit.
The family also made a heartfelt plea for employment opportunities for the late Akinkunmi’s children, believing that such a move would inspire patriotism and instill a sense of national duty in younger generations.
In conclusion, the statement read: “It would be our greater joy, as a family, if the children of the deceased were given government employment. This will encourage patriotism and teach younger Nigerians the importance of committing to their country. We are deeply grateful for this timely support, which demonstrates the government’s commitment to honoring our father’s legacy and ensuring the well-being of his family.”
