New dawn for the designer of Nigerian flag

Mr Taiwo Akinkunmi, the designer of the Nigerian Flag, who has been neglected for so many years now, came to a dramatic end yesterday as President Goodluck Jonathan honoured him with a national honour award and with a bonus as Special Assistant, with a salary for life. The ceremony saw over three hundred Nigerians from all walks of life honoured also. The 77 years old also received the National Honours Award of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).

President Goodluck Jonathan Presenting Pa Micheal Taiwo Akinkunmi, the designer of National Flag with OFR National Award in Abuja.

With directives from Mr. President to 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. However, they (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. With a noticeable return of N18 million cash left in his cab by a passenger by Usuah the taxi driver.

President Goodluck Jonathan (L), presenting a ‘Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR)’ Award To A Taxi Driver, Mr Imeh Usuah, who returned the sum of N18m (Eighteen Million Naira) forgotten in his car by a customer, in Abuja on Monday (29/9/14).

24 persons bagged the prestigious Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) award. They are the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah, the chief of Naval Staff Rear Admiral Usman Jubrin, Chief of Air Staff Air Vice Marshal Adesola Amosu, the acting IGP Sulieman Abba, National security Adviser Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Ayo Oke, the Head of Service of the Federation Danladi Kifasi, Chief Philip Asiodu and the chief of Staff to the President, Brigadier General Jones Arogbofa.
Others on the category of CFR are Chief Emmanuel Anyanwu, Jimoh Ibrahim, Oludolapo Akinkugbe, former Head of Service Bukar Aji, five Justices of the Supreme Court, Justice Bolarinwa Babalakin and Justice Abubakar Bashir Wali, both retired Supreme Court justices.
President Jonathan also presented awards to 59 people in the category of the Commander of the Niger (CON) including the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) John Odigie Oyegun, Olorogun Felix Ibru, PDP governorship candidate in the Osun State, Iyiola Omisore, eight serving governors including Olusegun Mimiko, 8 serving Ministers and seven state Chief Judges. The State Chiefs Judges are the grand Khadi of Sokoto State, Abdulkadir Tambuwal, former Governors Ibrahim Idris and Peter Odili.
Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) category, Mrs. Maiden Ibru, publisher of The Guardian is on the list along with veteran Journalist Moji Makanjuola, the National President of National Council of Women Society Nkechi Mba, the chief catering officer in the state house Katherine Adamu, two Directors of the Directorate of State Services (DSS), Sprinter Blessing Okagbare, and two Coaches of the national Under 17 National male football team, the captain of the under 20 female football team, Patience Okaeme, actresses Joke Silva Jacobs and Omotola Ekeinde among others.