Designer of Nigeria’s flag Taiwo Akinkunmi dies at 87

Designer of Nigeria’s flag Taiwo Akinkunmi dies at 87

The man who designed Nigeria’s flag, Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi (OFR), is dead.

Akinkunmi died on Tuesday at the age of 87.

His demise was announced via the Facebook account of one of his children.

He wrote, “Life is indeed transient; I can say boldly that you live a life with a landmark. Continue to rest, my father! Pa Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi (O.F.R.): Great Man has gone.”

Akinwumi, a native of Abeokuta, Ogun State, was born on May 10, 1936, but lived in Ibadan, Oyo State, until his death.

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

He started his career as a Civil Servant at the Secretariat of Ibadan and later travelled overseas to study Agricultural Engineering at Norway Technical College.
In 1958, during his stay abroad, Akinkunmi stumbled upon an advertisement in a national daily calling for the submission of designs for the Nigerian national flag in view of Nigeria’s imminent Independence from British governance.
His entry was adjudged the best among about 2,000 submitted entries.
The original design of the flag featured a white band flanked by two green ones, and a red sun with streaming rays was located on the white band.
The sun was eventually removed by the overseeing committee to produce the present design.

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 was honoured with the MON (Member of the Order of the Niger) Award by President Goodluck Jonathan administration.