Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi, the individual credited with designing Nigeria’s national flag, has passed away.
He died in the early hours of Tuesday following a short illness.
One of his children announced his death on Facebook.
He wrote: “Life is indeed transient; I can say boldly that you lived a life with a landmark.
“Continue to rest, my father! Pa Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi (O.F.R.): A great man has gone.”
In 1958, while residing abroad, Akinkunmi came across an advertisement in a national newspaper calling for submissions of designs for Nigeria’s national flag, as the country’s impending independence from British governance approached.
From over 2,000 entries received, his design was chosen.
The original flag design included a white band flanked by two green bands, featuring a red sun with streaming rays on the white section.
Although the committee eventually omitted the sun, Akinkunmi’s design was chosen for its creativity and depth of meaning.
The green bands symbolize the nation’s forests and abundant natural resources, while the white band represents peace.
The flag was hoisted on Independence Day, October 1, 1960, replacing the British Union Jack. Akinkunmi was awarded 100 pounds when his design was selected.