BREAKING: Tragic News As Designer Of Nigeria’s Flag, Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi Is Confirmed Dead

BREAKING: Tragic News As Designer Of Nigeria’s Flag, Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi Is Confirmed Dead

Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi (OFR), the renowned designer of Nigeria’s flag, has passed away.

He peacefully departed in the early hours of Tuesday after a brief illness.

The sad news was announced by one of his children on Facebook, reflecting, “Life is indeed transient; I can confidently say that you lived a life with a profound impact. Rest in peace, my father! Pa Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi (O.F.R.): A great man has left us.”

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Born on May 10, 1936, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, he spent his life in Ibadan until his passing.

For his early education, he attended Baptist Day Secondary School, Ibadan, and continued to Ibadan Grammar School for his secondary education.

His career commenced as a Civil Servant at the Secretariat of Ibadan before he pursued his studies in Agricultural Engineering at Norway Technical College.

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In 1958, during his time abroad, Akinkunmi came across an advertisement in a national newspaper seeking designs for Nigeria’s national flag in preparation for the nation’s imminent Independence from British rule.

Among the roughly 2,000 entries submitted, his design was deemed the best.

The initial version of the flag featured two green bands flanking a white one, with a red sun and streaming rays positioned on the white band. However, the overseeing committee removed the sun, leading to the flag’s current design.

Akinkunmi’s design was chosen for its creativity and depth, with the green bands symbolizing the country’s forests and abundant natural resources, while the white band signifies peace.

Instead of the British Union Jack, the flag he created was proudly raised on Independence Day, October 1, 1960.

For his exceptional design, the government awarded Akinkunmi 100 pounds.

In recognition of his remarkable contribution, he was honored with the MON (Member of the Order of the Niger) Award by President Goodluck Jonathan.