By Isaac Daniel
President Bola Tinubu has sent his profound condolences to the family of Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi, OFR, the renowned designer of the national flag in 1958, who died at ripe age of 93. Pa Akinkunmi, is a man who left a historical and generational legacy as student in London. following his death at the age of 93 .
President Tinubu condoled with his family, relations, friends, well-wishers and associates of the retired national hero. He served the nation all his life as a civil servant.
In addition, Pa Akinkunmi his dedicated his entire life to the worthy service of the nation by sharing knowledge and experience with old and young, and inspiring many to think and act patriotically to progress and prosperity of Nigeria.
The President in his condolence message noted that the Green and White flag is a legacy that has consistently reflected the fruitfulness, resilience, and harmony enjoyed by the nation, and the boldness and uniqueness with which Nigerians characteristically reach for and achieve success around the world.
President Tinubu in a statement issued by his Special adviser on Media and Publicity Ajuri Ngelale says that b Pa Akinkunmi lived and worked for the greatness of the country, and rests eternally with a place of honour in Nigeria’s history.
Taiwo Michael Akinkunmi, born on 10 May, 1936, was the designer of the Nigerian national flag. Akinkunmi who hails from Owu in Abeokuta, Ogun State. 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, according to Tope Apoola.
In 1958, during his stay abroad, Akinkunmi stumble on 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. The original design of the flag featured a white band flanked by two green ones; a red sun with streaming rays was located on the white band. The sun was eventually done away with by the overseeing committee to produce the present design.
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 honoured with the MON (Member of the Order of the Niger) Award by President Goodluck Jonathan. To mark his 77th birthday, a Christian organization called G-Next did a home makeover in his Ibadan residence. The project which lasted from 8th to 10th of May 2013 was managed by Practive.
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