The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris has extolled Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi as an iconic individual who designed one of the most important symbols of Nigeria’s collective existence as a country and a nation.
Pa Akinkunmi, fondly referred to as Mr. Flag Man, died on the 29th of August after a brief illness at the age of 84.
On Monday, the Minister of Information led a delegation of the Nigerian government on a condolence visit to the family of the deceased, at his residence in Elebu, Ibadan, Oyo state.
The Minister said the visit, at the behest of President Bola Tinubu, aims to assure the family and Oyo State that the President shares in the pain caused by the death of the icon, adding that the late Akinkunmi represents the unity of the country through the legacy he left behind.
“Mr. President has asked that we come to commiserate with the family and the state and also to tell them that he shares with them in this grief, along with the Federal Government, throughout this period,” the Minister said in an official statement.
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The Minister had paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Oyo State, where he was received at the executive chamber of the Governor’s Office, Agodi, Ibadan.
Speaking on behalf of the Governor, the Deputy Governor, Adebayo Lawal, said while the national anthem has been changed twice, the national flag has remained the same owing to the depth of message and meaning it preaches.
“He must have had in mind a united country that would always been one.
“We must appreciate Akinkunmi for his rich knowledge and deep insight in that he saw agriculture as a key item that will always be relevant, especially now in the face of dwindling oil prices globally. Again, the white color on the flag symbolizes the peace and unity of the nation. The unity and togetherness of the nation remain key to us all,” the Deputy Governor said.
On behalf of the Akinkunmi family and the entire Oyo State, Lawal expressed appreciation to the Nigerian President for sending the high-powered delegation to condole with the State.
He added that the people of Oyo State would continue to cooperate with the Nigerian Government in the unity of the country.
