Designer of Nigeria’s flag, Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi dead at 87

The Designer of Nigeria’s flag, Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi died on Wednesday, at the age of 87.

The announcement was made by his son, Samuel Akinkunmi on his Facebook page.

Samuel in the post wrote “Life is indeed transient; I can say boldly you lived a life with a landmark. Continue to rest on, my father! Pa Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi (O.F.R) Great Man has gone.”

The late Pa Akinwumi who hails from Owu in Abeokuta, Ogun state was born on May 10, 1936.

He attended Baptist Day Secondary School, Ibadan for his Primary education and Ibadan Grammar School, Ibadan for his Secondary education.

He took up an appointment as a Civil Servant at Secretariat Ibadan.

After some years of service, he travelled overseas to study Agricultural Engineering at Norway Technical College.

In 1958, during his stay abroad, late Pa Akinkunmi stumbled upon an advertisement in a national daily calling for submission of designs for the Nigerian national flag in view of the imminent Independence from British governance.

He immediately began work on his own entry which was eventually selected as best among the roughly 2000 entries submitted.

Akinkunmi’s design was selected because of its ingenuity and profundity (the green bands represent the forests and abundant natural wealth of the country, while the white band represents peace).

The flag was officially hoisted on Independence Day (October 1, 1960) instead of the British Union Jack.

Akinkunmi was awarded 100 pounds by the government when his design was selected.

He has also been honored with the MON (Member of the Order of the Niger) Award by President Goodluck Jonathan.

He died at his residence in Ibadan