President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday placed Mr Taiwo Akinkunmi, designer of the National Flag, on lifetime salary as Special Assistant to the President.
Pa Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi would be remembered as a national icon who designed Nigerian flag in 1959 when he was barely 23.
Early years and education
He was born in May 1936 in Ibadan, Oyo State in the then Western Region to the family of the late Pa Akinkunmi.
Akinkunmi began his early education in the North. After his father’s retirement, he came down to the West and was re-enrolled at Baptist Day School, IdI-Ikan in Ibadan.
After he finished from Baptist Day School Idi-kan in 1949, he proceeded to Ibadan Grammar School (IGS) in 1950. IGS
He later left IGS in 1955 to chart a career path for himself. He took appointment as an agriculturist at the Western Region Secretariat in Ibadan as a civil servant.
Akinkunmi later travelled abroad and attended Norwood Technical College in London where he studied electrical engineering.
There was opportunity to stay back in England after his studies, but there was this spirit of patriotism to come back home. After his training at Norwood Technical College, London, he returned to Nigeria in 1963 and went back to the agricultural department at the secretariat in Ibadan to continue where he stopped.
Designing Nigeria’s Flag
Pa Akinkunmi was in England when he got involved in what stands him out today as ‘Mr. Flag Man’.
He was in the Library when he saw an advertisement in Daily Times (Nigerian Newspaper) in the late 50s. He saw this advertisement looking for somebody to design National Flag which would be used for independence celebration in Nigeria in October 1960.
He took part in the competition and sent it to Nigeria. His entry was dropped at the then legislative chambers, the Tafawa Balewa now Race Course. Fortunately, his design was picked among 2000 participants from all over.
Few weeks later, a letter was sent to me him in England that his design won.
One couldn’t have expected a science student to be able to come up with such design that has become a national symbol for 54 years.
He felt elated and on top of the world that he had done something significant for his country.
He also regarded God as the greatest inspirator.
Very funny, how old is the man. Another failed PR.
ReplyDeletewhy dem no go endose you ...anybody wey say 2015 no go sure for GEJ i rest ma case....na clauess person dey do this when action people dey there dem no fit...carryon till 2019
ReplyDeleteMy PRESIDENT, keep doing Ur best for this MUMU NAIJA. KEEP DOING Ur BEST.
ReplyDeleteWith all due respect, there is nothing to this flag. Lacks sophistication, lacks beauty.
ReplyDeletemaybe u should come up with your own design, big mouthed maggot!
DeleteAll the comments above are daft, dumb and illiterate comments. If you dont know what to comment, please keep your traps shut.
ReplyDeleteGood one Mr. President. But you have been in for six years now, you are there when Nigeria was 50! This would have been the ice on the 50th cake. Another election is around the corner, well done Mr. President, God bless you!
ReplyDelete11.56 PM Nobody is talking of beauty or sophistication, all we need is the meaning the flag carries
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 11:56pm,think before you talk. This has been our flag since inception. No one has come with something better. Appreciating this man is quite commendable and will encourage the newer generation to do something for the country to merit an honour.
ReplyDeleteThe symbol of the flag is the most important thing, and the old man who have come up with it is an icon, we the younger generation should learn to appreciate people like this and not the thieves who have eating the future in their presence, people who have aquired our future lively hood means for their unborn generation, these are the enemies of the symbol of our flag and national anthem, yet these people are till talking with impunity.
ReplyDeleteAs though the President doesn't already have enough Advisers. Advise him on what, by the way. Advise him on how to color a piece of paper and call it a flag?
ReplyDeleteI find the lack of respect for the flag and it's designer amusing and unjustified? It may not be the most sophisticated or complex endeavour to have designed it, but a national symbol deserves respect, and with honors being bestowed on so many undeserving political figures, it is refreshing to see this sort of award/gesture. Better late than never. Let us learn to honor things that count, things that make a difference to society, no matter how small, rather than applauding only wealth and/or position.
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