Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris during his condolence visit to the family of the late Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi has said the federal government is ready to look at all the requests made by them.
Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi, the designer of the national flag lived and died in Ibadan last week Tuesdays after a brief illness.
The son of the late designer of the National Flag, Samuel Akinwumi Akinkunmi while speaking with Naijanewshub.com and other journalists last week Wednesday over the demise of his dad called on the federal and state government to immortalize.
Samuel also demanded a state burial for his late dad to justify his meaningful contributions to the growth, oneness and development of the country.
Alhaji Mohammed Idris on Monday led a delegation of the federal government on a condolence visit to Pa Taiwo Akinwumi’s family in residence at Kuola Estate, Elebu Area, Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo state stressed that the government will do everything possible to look into the request made by the family over the loss of their father who contributed so much to the unity of the country.
The Minister also used the occasion of his first visit to the state after his appointment to visit the Governor of Oyo state, Engr. ‘Seyi Makinde in order to commiserate with the Government of the state and her people.
While speaking on the importance of his visit at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office on Monday, Alhaji Idris described the deceased as a patriotic Nigerian and national pride who gave the nation a legacy and national identity said president Bola Tinubu received the news of his death with shock.
In his words, “I’m here as leader of the federal government delegation to commiserate, first with the state government, the people of Oyo state and the family of the deceased.
“The deceased who bequeathed to us the national flag lived and died in Ibadan here, as a matte of fact he designed the flag penultimate the Nigeria’s independence in 1959.”
The Minister, who went memory lane to Nigeria’s pre-independence on the nation’s togetherness, rich cultural diversity, and resilience as a people also said, “as you’re aware he was in the service of the old western region and only God knows what inspired him to design the flag which has stood the test of time from 1959 till date.
“We are here with the presence of Mr President to offer our condolences and to also tell the family and the good people of Oyo State, the place that the Federal Government places the deceased.
“We know that he is such an iconic individual, he has designed one of the most powerful of our collective existence as a country and as a nation.
“Therefore Mr president has asked that we come to commiserate with the family and also tell them that Mr President shares with them in this grief and the Federal government is with them throughout this period.
“Whatever the request that the family put forward to the Federal Government will be looked into,”Idris said.
Barrister Lawal, in his remarks said, “We have to thank this gentleman, Chief Taiwo Akinkunmi for that rich knowledge and futuristic approach to our nation.
“On behalf of His excellency and the good people of Oyo State, we appreciate His excellency the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu for sending this high delegation to Oyo State, to commiserate, not only to the family of the deceased, but he government and the good people of Oyo State.
“We have accepted, what has happened to us in Oyo state, by the departure of Chief Taiwo Akinkunmi, may his soul rest in peace.
“We want to take the liberty of this visit, to extend to His excellency the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu that both the family and the good people of Oyo State appreciate this kind gesture of condolence to the people of Oyo State.
“We believe sincerely that the legacy left behind by Chief Akinkunmi in terms of the design of the Nigeria flag, will not be lost on Nigerians, that legacy of unity of resourcefulness, to the extent that we can not but appreciate the fact that Nigeria, despite of challenges and obstacles that we continuously face must remain united and in peace.”
The Minister, who led the federal government delegation to the private residence of the deceased assured the family that government would look at requests propositions and would give them considerations.