Tinubu mourns Taiwo Akinkunmi, says he left a generational legacy

President Bola Tinubu has condoled with the family of Taiwo Akinkunmi over the death of the designer of the Nigerian flag.

Akinkunmi Akinwumi, one of his children, announced the death in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

The octogenarian was reported to have died in the early hours of Wednesday after a brief illness at the age of 87.

The flag designer, who hailed from Owu in Abeokuta, Ogun state was born on May 10, 1936.

In 2014, former President Goodluck Jonathan conferred him with the national honour of Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).

Jonathan also directed his chief of staff to place him “forever” on a salary equivalent to that of a special assistant to the president.

For his 85 birthday in 2021, former President Muhammadu Buhari celebrated him for upholding “the values that every citizen should emulate for nation building, which include humility, selflessness, integrity and a keen interest in seeking greater good for the country and humanity”.

In a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the president, Tinubu said Akinkunmi “worked for the greatness of the country, with a generational legacy and a place of honour in Nigeria”.

“The President affirmed that the green and white flag is a legacy that has consistently reflected the fruitfulness, resilience, and harmony enjoyed by the nation,” he said.

“He said that it represented the boldness and uniqueness with which Nigerians characteristically reach for and achieve success around the world.”