National Honours: Jonathan Places Akinkunmi (77), Man Who Designed Nigerian Flag On Salary Forever

President Goodluck Jonathan has directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, to place the designer of the national flag, Mr Taiwo Akinkunmi, a lifetime salary of a presidential assistant. Pa Akinkunmi is 77, he designed the National flag at 23, that’s 54 years ago.

Reports say the salary of a special assistant to the president is the same as that of a minister of state. The president gave the directive today in Abuja after conferring national honour awards on 313 distinguished Nigerians.

Jonathan also directed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Bala Mohammed, to give one flat each to a taxi driver, Mr Umeh Usuah; a traffic warden, Solomon Dauda and the head of the presidential stewards, Onuh Isaac Michael.

The president, who specially recognised Usuah, Dauda and Michael, said their cases had proven wrong, those taking into criminalities because of poverty.

Usuah bagged Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) for returning N18 million a passenger forgot in his vehicle; whole Dauda and Michael bagged Member of the Order of the Niger (MON). All Progressives Congress (APC), John Oyegun and the governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, were among the awardees that were absent at the event.

305 Nigerians, including the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr Jonah Ogunniyi Otunla; Mr Jimoh Ibrahim; the Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi; the Olugbo of Ugbonla, Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan; former deputy governor of Osun State, Chief (Mrs) Olusola Obada; chairman, Skye Bank Plc, Mr Olatunde John Ayeni; Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko; former deputy governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore; among others, will be conferred with national honours by President Goodluck Jonathan today.

Also on the list are the acting Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Sulaiman Abba; former governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili and the Bauchi State governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda.

As released on September 18 by the National Honours Committee, 24 Nigerians, including Ibrahim; Oba Oyewumi; the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Dr Victor Kiladejo; Abba; Chief O. O. Akinkugbe; Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice John Afolabi Fabiyi, will be conferred with the award of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR).

The event, expected to be graced by personalities, will also see 59 Nigerians receive the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) award .

Some of the recipients are Mr Ayeni; Oba Akinruntan; Governor Mimiko; Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Governor Yuguda; Senator Omisore; Dr Odili; Chief (Mrs) Obada; former president, NIM, Chief Michael Olawole Cole; former minister, Chief Mrs Onikepo Akande; Chief Judge, Ogun State, Justice Aloy Nweke Nwanko; Chief Judge, Akwa Ibom State, Justice Isua Idongesit Nfem Bassey; Minister of Works, Mr Mike Onolememen; Minister for Information, Mr Labaran Maku and Senator Femi Okurounmu.