The famous designer of the Nigerian flag, Taiwo Michael Akinkunmi, died a year ago at the age of 87. His family is still reeling from the promise of the state funeral despite his enormous impact on Nigerian history. In this post, we will explore Akinkunmi’s life, the meaning of his flag design, and his continuous endeavors to give him the burial he deserves.
Taiwo Michael Akinkunmi: The Man Standing Guard
The modest Taiwo Akinkunmi, fondly called “Mr. Flag Man,” made an unforgettable impact on Nigerian national pride. As a symbol of his devotion to his country and the uncomplicated way of life he lived, his home was painted in the traditional green and white colors of the Nigerian flag. Despite his quiet demeanor and modest upbringing, Akinkunmi made a valuable impact on the story of Nigeria’s independence. The funeral, which was paid for by Oyo State, where he lived, would be a memorial to his father’s legacy, according to his son, Akinwumi Akinkunmi.
The Origins of the Nigerian Flag
The path that led Akinkunmi to create the flag of Nigeria took an unexpected turn. In the months leading up to Nigeria’s October 1960 declaration of independence from the UK, he happened onto a newspaper ad in London promoting a contest for a new national flag design while he was a young electrical engineering student. The colonial flag included the British Union Jack and a six-pointed green star beneath a red disk; Akinkunmi’s elegant and symbolic design of green-white-green vertical stripes stood out among the roughly three thousand entries.
The selecting committee removed an aspect from Akinkunmi’s initial design that represented heavenly protection and guidance—a red sun encircled by rays. For his winning design, Akinkunmi received £100, which was around $280 in those days. Notwithstanding the lack of grandeur, the emblematic simplicity of the flag—green for Nigeria’s abundant agricultural past and white signifying unification and peace—encapsulated the essence of a newly sovereign nation.
A Life Grounded in Harmony and Ease
While his family’s profession transported him around Nigeria as a child, Akinkunmi spent his formative years in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State. His idea of oneness, shaped by his exposure to the nation’s varied cultures and people, became a central theme in his flag design. He frequently used the term “mini-Nigeria” to characterize his high school, which reflects the diverse student body that influenced his perspective.
With more than 300 distinct ethnic groups and a religiously varied population, Nigeria needed a flag that could bring people together, not divide them. A sense of national unity was fostered by Akinkunmi’s adoption of a simple design that did not favor any tribe over another. Because intricate flag designs may unintentionally offend certain groups, this was a typical choice among culturally varied nations, according to Whitney Smith, an expert on flags.
A Permanent Adoration for the Flag
Going back to his roots after Nigeria’s independence, Akinkunmi worked as a government official in the Ministry of Agriculture until retiring in 1994, specializing in agriculture. Although Akinkunmi had a key part in creating the national flag, he spent the majority of his life out of the spotlight. Formal recognition as one of Nigeria’s outstanding citizens did not come his way until the 50th anniversary of the nation’s independence.
Even in his private life, Akinkunmi showcased his commitment to his creation by frequently painting the outside of his home with the colors of the flag. This heartfelt ode to his work served as a subtle reminder of the national pride he experienced, even if the general public mostly overlooked his efforts.
Prolonged Acknowledgment and the Fight for a State Funeral
One of Nigeria’s highest honors, the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), was bestowed upon Akinkunmi in 2014 after years of lobbying by a politician from Oyo State. It had been much too long since his impact on Nigerian national identity had been acknowledged.
There were demands for a state funeral to commemorate Akinkunmi’s legacy after his death. Although a senator’s move for this honor was successful, no actual arrangements were made, and the daily expense of keeping Akinkunmi’s body in a morgue fell on his family. Disappointment and resentment set up when the family received no communication and saw no progress in organizing the state funeral despite NICO being asked to do so.
As plans for a state-sponsored funeral began to fade, the administration of Oyo State decided to foot the bill for the burial. Akinwumi, who is the son of Akinkunmi, thanked the government for helping his father keep his honorable name alive. He said his dad was an honest guy who wouldn’t want the extended delay to reflect poorly on him.
In summary
The life and work of Taiwo Michael Akinkunmi, creator of the Nigerian flag, demonstrate the immense power of humble yet meaningful symbols in bringing people together. Efforts to commemorate Akinkunmi’s memory by a state-funded burial demonstrate the ongoing reverence and affection for his accomplishments, even as his family persists in their search for an appropriate state funeral. In this, the 64th year of Nigeria’s independence, the Akinkunmi flag continues to represent the peace, unity, and legacy of the country.
