Taiwo Akinkunmi who designed Nigerian flag dies at 87

Mr Taiwo Akinkunmi, who designed the Nigerian flag as a young student died on Wednesday in Ibadan, where he has lived most of his life.

One of his children, in a Facebook post announcing his passing, said Akinkunmi died in the early hours after a brief illness.

“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,” the post read.

Akinkunmi was born on May 10, 1936. He hailed from Abeokuta in Ogun State, but resided in Ibadan, Oyo State, until his passing.

He attended Baptist Day Secondary School, Ibadan for his Primary education and Ibadan Grammar School, Ibadan for his Secondary education.

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He began his career Civil Servant at the Secretariat of Ibadan. He would later travel abroad to study Agricultural Engineering at Norway Technical College.

In the course of his study, he came across an advertisement in a national daily which called for submission of designs for Nigeria’s national flag which was in view of Nigeria’s Independence from the British government.

Luckily for him, his entry was judged as the best amidst about 2,000 entries that were submitted.

His green and white design was selected because of its ingenuity, and its representation of wealth and peace to the then new Nigeria.

The flag was officially hoisted on October 1, 1960.

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