He spoke while on a condolence visit to the family of Pa Akinkunmi, at his Elebu, Ibadan, residence, on Monday.

The minister said the visit was at the behest of President Bola Tinubu, who wanted to assure the family of the deceased and Oyo State that he shared in the pain caused by the death of the icon, adding that the late Akinkunmi represented the unity and oneness of the country through the legacy he left behind.

“Mr. President has asked that we come to commiserate with the family and the state and also to tell them that he shares with them in this grief, along with the federal government, throughout this period,” he said.

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He assured that the requests of the family at that time would be looked into.

Earlier, the minister paid a courtesy visit to the governor of Oyo State, where he was received at the executive chamber of the Governor’s Office, Agodi Ibadan.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, Makinde said that even though the national anthem had been changed twice, the national flag has remained the same owing to the depth of message and meaning it preaches.

“He must have had in mind a united country that would always be one,” said the deputy governor.

“We must appreciate Akinkunmi for his rich knowledge and deep insight in that he saw agriculture as a key item that will always be relevant, especially now in the face of dwindling oil prices globally. Again, the white colour on the flag symbolizes the peace and unity of the nation. The unity and togetherness of the nation remain key to us all.”

He expressed appreciation to the president, on behalf of the Akinkunmi family and the entire state, for sending the high-powered delegation to condole the state, saying the people of Oyo State were ready to cooperate with the federal government on the unity of the country.

The minister was in the company of the top management of the agencies and departments under his ministry.

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Akinkunmi died at his family home in Ibadan, after a brief illness at the age of 87.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, said the news the death of Akinkunmi was shocking.

He described him as a national icon, whose contribution to national unity would remain indelible.

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“The death of Pa Akinkunmi came at the time Nigeria was reinventing itself for peace, development and enduring national reconciliation; the country would miss the contributions of the deceased especially at this time that the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is banking on the Renewed Hope Agenda to build on the national fervour that characterized Nigeria’s journey to independence.

“I am confident that Pa Akinkunmi will continue to live in the minds of Nigerians for generations to come.

“The National Flag, one of our revered national symbols is an asset for which Pa Akinwunmi has etched his name in the annals of Nigerian history.”

The minister said he expressed his heartfelt condolences to Akinkunmi’s immediate family, praying that God would grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

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