President Jonathan conferred National Honour on Nigeria’s national flag designer, Taiwo Akinkunmi with salary for life

After years of neglect of the designer of the Nigerian Flag, Mr Taiwo Akinkunmi came to a dramatic end yesterday as President Goodluck Jonathan, while conferring him with a national honour award, also announced his appointment as a Special Assistant, with a salary for life.

This was the highlight of the ceremony which saw the conferrment of national honours on more than three hundred Nigerians from all walks of life.

Akinkunmi, who is 77 years old also received the National Honours Award of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).


President Jonathan also directed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator. Bala Mohammed to give a flat each to a taxi driver, Umeh Usuah; Head Presidential Steward, Onuh Isaac Michael and a traffic warden, Corporal Solomon Dauda, who were also awarded national honours.

While Michael and Dauda were conferred with the Member of Order of the Niger (MON) award, Usuah received the award of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).

Michael, the Head Presidential Steward has served nine Presidents, while Dauda had been dedicated to his job as traffic warden.

Specifically, Usuah the taxi driver was given the award for his honesty in returning N18 million cash left in his cab by a passenger.