Pa Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi, the designer of the Nigerian flag, has died at the age of 87. He passed away in the early hours of Tuesday, August 29, after a brief illness.
Akinkunmi was born on May 10, 1936, in Owu, Abeokuta, Ogun State. He had his primary education at Baptist Day Secondary School in Ibadan and his secondary education at Ibadan Grammar School in Ibadan. He began his career as a civil servant in the Secretariat of Ibadan and then went abroad to Norway Technical College to study agricultural engineering.
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While living overseas in 1958, Akinkunmi came across an article in a national newspaper asking for ideas for the Nigerian flag in light of the country’s impending independence from British rule. He submitted his design, which was selected as the top one out of the about 2,000 others.
Akinkunmi’s design featured a horizontal tricolor of green, white, and green, with a red sun with flowing rays on the white band. The oversight committee ultimately decided to remove the sun from the design, but Akinkunmi’s flag was still chosen as the official flag of Nigeria.
The flag was first flown on October 1, 1960, the day Nigeria gained its independence from Britain. The green bands of the flag represent the country’s natural resources and forests, while the white band represents peace. The red sun represents the nation’s bright future.
Akinkunmi was awarded 100 pounds by the government for his design, and he was also honored with the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) award by President Goodluck Jonathan.
He is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren.
Akinkunmi’s death is a great loss to Nigeria. He was a talented artist and designer, and his flag is a symbol of national pride. His legacy will live on for generations to come.
Originally posted 2023-08-31 22:50:16.
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