Pa. Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi (OFR), the designer of the Nigerian flag is dead.
The 93-year old Pa. Akinkunmi died in the early hours of Tuesday after a brief illness.
The nonagenarian’s death was announced by one of his children through his Facebook account.
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.”
Pa Akinwumi, was born on May 10, 1936, in Abeokuta, Ogun State but lived most of his adult years in Ibadan, Oyo State until his demise.
Young Akinkunmi had his primary education at Baptist Day School, Ibadan, and Ibadan Grammar School, Ibadan, for his Secondary education.
He began his work career as a Civil Servant at the Secretariat of Ibadan before he travelled overseas to study Agricultural Engineering at Norway Technical College.
Pa Akinkunmi had while studying abroad in 1958, saw an advertisement in a national daily calling for the submission of designs for the Nigerian national flag to coincide Nigeria’s Independence from British governance.
Out of about 2000 entries submitted, his entry was adjudged the best, with the original design of the flag featuring a white band flanked by two green ones, and a red sun with streaming rays was located on the white band.
The overseeing committee eventually removed the sun design to produce the present green white green.
The nonagenarian’s design was selected due to its ingenuity and profundity as the green bands represent the forests and abundant natural wealth of the country, while the white band represents peace.
The Nigerian flag designed by Akinkunmi was officially hoisted on Independence Day (October 1, 1960) to replace the British Union Jack.
The government awarded him 100 pounds for selecting his design.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan also honoured him with the MON (Member of the Order of the Niger) Award.
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