Nigeria mourns the loss of Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi (OFR), the visionary creator of the nation's iconic flag. Akinkunmi, who designed the flag that symbolizes the essence of Nigeria, has sadly passed away today after a short battle with illness.
News of his demise emerged in the early hours of Tuesday, and the announcement was made by one of his children on Facebook. The heart-wrenching post reads, "Life is indeed transient; I can say boldly that you lived a life with a landmark. Continue to rest, my father! Pa Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi (O.F.R.): Great Man has gone."
Born on May 10, 1936, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi lived a remarkable life that left an indelible mark on Nigeria's history. Although he spent his early years in Ibadan, he was always deeply connected to his roots.
His educational journey took him from Baptist Day Secondary School in Ibadan for his Primary education to Ibadan Grammar School for his Secondary education. Following that, he embarked on a path of public service, joining the Secretariat of Ibadan as a Civil Servant.
His thirst for knowledge and exploration led him overseas to Norway Technical College, where he studied Agricultural Engineering. It was during this time abroad that destiny intervened, as he stumbled upon an advertisement calling for flag design submissions for Nigeria's impending Independence from British rule.
Out of approximately 2,000 entries, Akinkunmi's design emerged as the most exceptional. The original design featured two vibrant green bands flanking a white one, embellished with a red sun adorned with streaming rays. Although the overseeing committee later omitted the sun, the present design retained the essence of his ingenious creation.
Akinkunmi's design stood out due to its profound symbolism: the green bands represented Nigeria's lush forests and abundant natural wealth, while the white band stood for peace.
Upon the selection of his design, Akinkunmi received a commendation of 100 pounds from the government. His brilliance was further recognized when he was honored with the prestigious MON (Member of the Order of the Niger) Award by President Goodluck Jonathan.
As Nigeria mourns the loss of this visionary, his legacy will forever be woven into the fabric of the nation's identity through the vibrant green and white of its beloved flag. Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi's contribution to Nigeria's history and its journey to independence will be remembered with deep gratitude.
