TELL Magazine

Taiwo Akinkunmi, the designer of the Nigerian national flag got double honours on Monday, as President Goodluck Jonathan conferred on him, the national honour of Officer of the Order of Federal Republic, OFR and also announced his appointment as a Special Assistant, with a lifetime salary.
The announcement came few days to the 54th national Independence Day celebration.
Born in Ibadan on May 10, 1936, Akinkunmi designed the national flag in 1959 and it was adopted as a national symbol in 1960.
Akinkunmi was honoured at the International Conference Centre, Abuja along with over 300 other distinguished Nigerians including Michael Isaac Onuh, the Head of Presidential Steward who has served every Head of State since the time of President Shehu Shagari.
Also honoured was Umeh Usuah, a taxi driver who was rewarded for his honesty in returning N18 million cash left in his cab by a passenger.
President Jonathan also directed Bala Mohammed, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, to give Houses to each of Usuah, Onuh and Solomon Dauda, a traffic warden, who was also awarded a national honour for performing his duties diligently.
Michael and Dauda were conferred with the Member of Order of the Niger, MON award while Usuah got the award of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, MFR.
Other awardees include John Oyegun, National Chairman of the All Progressive Party, APC; Suleiman Abba, the Inspector of General of Police, IGP; Alex Badeh, Chief of Defence Staff, actress Joke Silva Jacobs, Omotola Ekeinde and a host of other Nigerians.
This year’s national honours award did not come with the Grand Commander of the Niger, GCON previously being awarded to individuals but 24 persons bagged the prestigious Commander of the Federal Republic, CFR, award.
During the conferment ceremony, the President called on Nigerians to participate actively in the nomination exercise, which is designed to give honor to illustrious personalities who deserve it.