Honour Nigeria’s Flag designer -Oyo Lawmakers
The Oyo State House of Assembly on Wednesday asked the Federal Government to recognise the designer of the national flag, Taiwo Akinkunmi as part of Nigeria’s 53rd independence anniversary.
The call was made in a motion moved by Ibrahim Bolomope, representing Egbeda Constituency. He also called on the state government should to the aid of 77-year-old Akinkunmi, whose health had deteriorated.
In his appeal to the Federal Government, Bolomope said that Akinkunmi deserved a national honour more than some of the past recipients.
House speaker, Monsurat Sumonu, said an open letter would be sent to the Presidency and the National Assembly, calling their attention to Akinwunmi’s plight
Akinkunmi, who was present at the sitting, was described as a hardworking Nigerian. He entered and won the competition to design a flag for the country in 1958 when he was a student of Norwich Technical College in London.
The motion wanted the Oyo State Government to compel the state pension board to commence payment of monthly gratuity to Akinkunmi, while also urging Governor Abiola Ajimobi to direct the Oyo State Road Management Authority and Oyo State Rural Electrification Board to rehabilitate the road leading to Akinkunmi’s home in Ibadan and provide stable electricity to the community.