The Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Lanre Issa-Onilu, accompanied by the Oyo State Director of the agency, Olukemi Afolayan, made the official presentation of the cheque on behalf of the Federal Government at the Elebu, Ibadan, Oyo State residence of the late hero on Thursday, after almost two years after his demise.
The late Akinkunmi died on August 29, 2023, at the age of 87.
On September 4, 2023, President Bola Tinubu sent a government delegation, led by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, NOA, Mohammed Idris, on a condolence visit, where it pledged to give the late Nigerian hero a national burial and financial support to the family.
According to Issa-Onilu, he was aware that the President gave a directive that the government must commiserate with the great Nigerian, and the Minister of Information with the then Director General of NOA was there to commiserate with the family, even though he wasn’t appointed Director General of the NOA at that time.
He said the transition which led to his appointment and resumption delayed the finalising of the effort of showing appreciation to the family.
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Issa-Onilu said the donation of N30m to the family of the renowned national flag designer was not to pay for the services of the late legend but to support his family in appreciation of his contributions to the country.
The NOA DG added that entries were made by several Nigerians and Akinkunmi’s design was considered as most representative of who we are as a people. 64 years after, we are still using that flag which shows the creativity and ingenuity of Akinkunmi.
He said though the hero had passed, he left great Nigerians behind, including his children and members of his family.
He said the token of appreciation to the family on behalf of the Federal Government is on the directive of President Bola Tinubu, adding that appreciation will be a continuous thing.
The NOA DG enjoined the family to keep the legacy of the late Akinkunmi.
One of the deceased children, Akinwunmi, thanked the government for the support, noting that the gesture was an indication that the nation acknowledged their father’s contributions.
Earlier, the NOA DG paid a working visit to the Akinyele Trailer Park, where he enlightened residents against scooping petrol from crashed tankers.
He noted that Nigeria had lost many lives in many parts of the country scooping petrol from tankers.