Taiwo Akinkumi Nigeria flag designer dies at 87
The Nigerian flag was designed in 1958 by engineer Taiwo Akinkumi (OFR), who just passed away today at 87 leaving a mark of legacy in the Nigerian history.
Taiwo Alinkumi passed on in the early hours of the day due to a brief illness. Confirming his death, Akinkumi Akinkumi his eldest son disclosed it in a post on Facebook.
The post read:
“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.”
Engineer Akinkumi was born on May 10, 1936, in Ogun state, but spent earlier days of his life in Ibadan. Akinkumi attended Baptist Day Secondary School, Ibadan, for his primary education and Ibadan Grammar School, Ibadan, for his secondary education.
Taiwo Akinkunmi started his work career as a civil servant at the Ibadan secretariat and later travelled overseas to further his studies.
During his stay abroad in 1958, Mr Akinkumi saw an advert in a Nigerian daily calling for the submission of potential designs for the Nigerian flag as the country prepared for independence from British rule.
He made the submitted of his entry, which was selected from over 2,000 others.
His initial design had a red sun with rays in the middle of the white band flanked by two green bands.
The overseeing committee removed the sun, leaving only the two green bands and the white band in the middle. The committee selected Mr Akinkumi’s design due to its perceived ingenuity.
The green bands represent the natural wealth and forests in the country, while the white band represents peace.
The newly designed Nigerian flag was officially hoisted on October 1, 1960, in place of the British Union Jack, marking Nigeria’s independence day.
The Nigerian government awarded Mr Akinkumi £100 for the flag design.
He was also honoured by the Goodluck Jonathan administration, which awarded him with a MON Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) Award.