Just like a popular adage that says 'when there is life there is hope',Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi who designed Nigeria Flag was among 50 distinguished Nigerians recently Honoured by President Goodluck Jonathan to commemorate the 50 years anniversary of Nigeria as an independent Nation.
Pa Michael Taiwo Akinkumi was born some 76 years ago, an indigene of Owu in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, Nigeria.
He attended Baptist Day School, Ibadan for his Primary education, Ibadan Grammar School, Ibadan for his Secondary education and after that took up an appointment as a clerk with the old Western Region at Secretariat, Ibadan. His passion for education was so high that he has to quit the civil service, after working for a number of years when the opportunity came for him to travel abroad for further education. He discussed his intention to travel abroad with some of his colleagues who later advised him to have a change of mind because of so many challenges he is going to face as a black student studying in a white’s land. All the advice given to him by his friends did not yield any result as he later decided to face the challenges traveled abroad.
On getting there, Taiwo Akjinkunmi enrolled with Norwich Technical College, London, to study Agric Engineering. It was in this school that the opportunity knocked at his door to register his name with an indelible mark in the history of the most populous black nation of the world called Nigeria. It was a very bright morning that day when young Akinkunmi visited the Library of Norwich College where he was studying, as he used to do. He decided to go to the newspaper stand where dailies were displayed to catch some glimpse about the activities of the colonial government then in Nigeria. He saw an advertorial about the new national flag to be designed for Nigeria. The advert was calling for whoever that is creative to submit an entry on what to be the colour of the flag and the reason why it should be designed that way. Taiwo Akinkunmi quickly rushed back to his hostel with the information about the competition which he had already jotted in a piece of paper. He then quickly prepared his entry and sent it straight away to Lagos, where the colonial masters were using as their base then.
It was indeed a day of joy and surprise for Akinkunmi when he received a letter from Lagos that the entry he sent was picked as the flag for the independent Nigeria. Though, over two thousand (2000) people submitted entries, but his own was picked because of the uniqueness in colour i.e. green-white-green and the interpretation which really reflected the abundant natural resources of Nigeria. This flag, designed by Akinkunmi, in 1958 was used to celebrate Nigeria independence on October 1st, 1960 when the “Union Jack” i.e. British Flag was lowered for the flag of Nigeria to take its place on air.
The British government then, recognized the contribution of Taiwo Akinkunmi to his fatherland and appreciated him with a sum of one hundred pounds (£ 100) which they sent to him when he was still in London. In a bid to further contribute to the development of Nigeria, Taiwo Akinkunmi later returned home after his programme in London and
worked with Ministry of Agriculture, Ibadan, where he used the knowledge and skills acquired while away to contribute to the success of the ministry where he prematurely retired due to a brief illness.
TaiwoAkinkunmi is married with children, among whom we have Akinremi Akinkunmi, Omolola Akinkunmi , Akinwumi Akinkunmi and the rest.
Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi has received numerous awards from well meaning Nigerians ranging from Students Unions, Non Governmental Organizations, Religious bodies, as well as corporate organizations, for his patriotic contribution to his fatherland. Prominent among the awards he has received was the one giving to him by Altima Communication, the organizer of “who wants to be a millionaire”, a T.V. quiz programme sponsored by MTN Telecommunication which won him a duplex around Acedemy area Ibadan.
A new feather was added to the cap of Taiwo Akinkunmi on Thursday, 30th September, 2010, when Federal Government of Nigeria deem it fit to count him worthy among the 50 distinguished Nigerians of history. Member of the Order of Niger (MON), the much awaited national award was bestowed on Taiwo Akinkunmi for designing Nigeria Flag, on the occasion of 50th Independence Celebration of Nigeria. The award was given to him by President Goodluck Jonathan in Government House, Abuja, alongside 49 others who have made Nigeria proud.
I am, therefore, using this medium to wish Pa Akinkunmi long life and prosperity, and I still believe that more honour are still coming for Baba... God willing!
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Olaniran, Sunday Olawale is a freelance writer and radio presenter, he is the author of popular book titled "Nigeria Tit Bits'. H e can be contacted on +2348054031719 and +2347033955770, xundey22@yahoo.com.
