The Yorubas in their norms have a way of instilling messages in their clans to engender oneness, inclusivity and discourage over-reliance on family therefore the popular mantra : “ẹni ọmọ sin l’obimọ”(only he who’s given a befitting burial has children). This has over the years sharpened the horizon of people in the race that, collective and communal living is the best, hence the need to collectively work for the good and progress of all, with the mindset that when death comes calling, anyone, not necessarily ones biological offspring will swiftly rise to accord the dead a befitting burial.
It’s also the belief of the Yoruba people that whenever a person dies, he or she is not finally rested until the body is committed to mother earth, reasons the instructions from some old parents who dole out warnings that” they should not be embalmed or kept in the mortuary, saying they should be buried immediately their breathe ceased”. From findings, it’s not a taboo that their passing is unworthy of the talk-of-the-town celebration laced with pomp and ceremonies but an attempt to attain early rest in the land beyond.
Their request, though may be out of their wish of final rites, also depicts a parent’s love and concern for their children to cover up their economic status so as not to land them in debts and disgrace that may accompany the preparation for the lavish ceremony.
Also, the psychological trauma, the children often faced having the knowledge of their dead being kept in the Morgue without any burial plan is undescribable.
Nigerians became worried, when the corpse of this national hero seemed to be abandoned in the Morgue, after several months of waiting with itching ears to hear the government’s announcement as nothing was forthcoming.
Many questions were posed as to what could have caused the delay knowing well that government have the wherewithal to articulate the rite of passage within 24hours. Why are the children helpless? What are the church , the Southwest governors and those who made heartwarming promises of befitting burial to the late designer of the national flag doing?
Different groups, individuals made outry to the federal and state governments to remember their promises and pledges to give the London trained Electrical Engineer, who at age 22 in his ingenuity gifted Nigeria the green-white-green flag , a national symbol of unity which the nation has not have the cause to change unlike the national anthem.
Responses after my piece entitled: Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi, A Hero Abandoned in the Morgue” to sensitise the government about the continued stay of the man in the morgue and the dilemma of the implications of abandoning such a national figure , almost on daily basis I get accosted by people expressing all manner of fear in their minds , chief among is how will he be remembered when his death clocks one year and he’s still not buried?
They expressed worried and did not want pa Akinkunmi’s case to be like that of the Late Dr. Joseph Wayas, former second republic senate president who died in London, over two years, nine months ago and yet to be buried
At the 10th month of pa Akinkunmi’s stay in the morgue, the National Institute for Cultural Orientation, NICO, on June 8, 2024 reacted on the instance of trending news on social media platforms over the seeming neglect of the burial arrangement of the late national hero. The agency through Executive Secretary/CEO , Otunba Biodun Ajiboye, assured the family and concerned Nigerians that their cry had reached the government and promised to take up a major role and responsibility in coordinating and collaborating with other agencies that may be necessary in giving a befitting burial to this hero.
According to Otunba Ajiboye, “It is a prominent part of our culture as a people not to neglect our heroes. Characteristically, our culture does not ignore this kind of cry. To which extent, the cry of the family of Late Pa Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi, the man who designed the Nigerian flag has come to the attention of the federal government and NICO has compassionately, considered taking up a major role and responsibility in coordinating and collaborating with other agencies that may be necessary in giving a befitting burial to this our fallen hero”.
“As we know, the flag remains one of the greatest tangible heritages of this country, and NICO has the mandate to promote both tangible and intangible cultural heritage”.
From Pa Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi’s case, It’s now on record that organising a state burial could take up to a year and more which is now a shift from the usual short term arrangement practice
To refresh our memories, Former First lady, Stella Obasanjo, former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, former Ondo state governor Rotimi Akeredolu,SAN, Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, former Governor of Eastern Nigeria, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, and Ex-Abacha Deputy, Oladipo Diya, all got prompt befitting burial rites within few days and months.
On Friday 2nd August, 2024, The Oyo State Governor, Engineer ‘Seyi Makinde, in his usual character, again, scored the golden goal in history by releasing funds to the family so as to set the burial arrangements in motion. This ingenious gesture by GSM put a halt to the endless wait by Nigerians, as the family, in few days, rolled out a-three-day programme of activities slated for 4th – 6th September , 2024
Although, a year has passed and the body of the late Akinkunmi patriarch will be buried in few days time , healing has come the way of the helpless children and the message of reward for patriotism has again being passed that no individual’s contribution to the unity of Nigeria will go unnoticed and unrewarded.
People who share the same thoughts and belief with the late designer of the national flag who at every October 1st annual celebration of the nation’s independence Day, whenever speaks to the press, always admonish the citizens, especially the youths to “Think of what they can do for the country and not what the country can do for them.”
For this admonition to take it’s foot in the subconsciousness of the active younger generation, government needs to up its game by improvising on its recognition and rewarding system, including prompt organisation of state burial for deserving Nigerians with exceptional services and contributions to the country.
‘Dayo Adu is an award winning multimedia journalist with over one and a half decade of Broadcast and News Media experience. He’s passionate about Developmental Journalism. He can be reached on temidayoadu@gmail.com