The family of Taiwo Akinkunmi, the designer of Nigeria’s national flag, has been compelled to go ahead with his burial after waiting for a year for a promised state funeral that never happened.
Akinkunmi, who passed away on September 4, 2023, at the age of 87, was supposed to be honoured with a state funeral by the Federal Government.
“We have to give him the dignified burial he deserves,” his son, Akinwumi Akinkunmi, said on the BBC Focus on Africa podcast.
Akinwumi mentioned that the family had waited patiently for the government to keep its promise, but as months passed, it became evident that no preparations were being made, according to the BBC’s report on Wednesday.
He revealed to the BBC that the family had been paying N2,000 per day to keep the body in a morgue.
This prompted the Oyo State Government to step in and cover the costs of the burial rites for the flag designer.
PUNCH Online reported in August that a three-day burial ceremony for Akinkunmi would begin on Wednesday, September 4, and end on Friday, September 6, 2024, in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.
In a statement, his son mentioned that the family remained hopeful of hearing from the Federal Government regarding its promises concerning the burial arrangements.
“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 the BBC that in June, they learned that the National Institute for Cultural Orientation, under the Ministry of Arts, was assigned to organize a state funeral.
However, after an initial phone call, there has been no further communication or progress from the institution.
Akinwumi is concerned that waiting any longer will disrespect 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.
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