Akinwunmi, fourth son of Taiwo Akinkunmi, who designed the Nigerian flag has granted his first media interview.
The young man who has just earned a National Diploma from
the Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State, spoke to PUNCH, on the
recognition given to his dad by President Goodluck Jonathan during the
recent national honours ceremony in Abuja.
“I am so happy about the award because we have been expecting such
recognition for several years. And that day, God answered our prayers. I
am so grateful to Him. My father was very happy. At first, it was
difficult for him to believe he was the one being given a national
honour by the President. In fact, he was not even expecting it. He just
said, okay, let’s go and see what would happen. He was really glad about
the whole ceremony and said at last, he was recognized. The whole
family was extremely happy about the honour and gave thanks to God.
Everyone felt he should have been honoured long before now. My sister
and I were in Abuja with him.”
Recounting how his father designed the flag, he said “When
he designed the flag, he was still a student at Norwich Technical
College, London, where he studied Electrical Engineering. He said he was
on his way to the library when he got the information that Nigeria
needed a new flag design to mark her independence in 1960. He went back
to the school’s hostel after getting the necessary information and
started the design. He later sent it to Nigeria.
On how his father’s name has opened doors for him “There
were some places I did not expect to gain access into, but because of
his name, it was easy for me. I remember how the mere mention of his
name gave me an access to several events I attended. When my sister
wanted to gain admission into higher institution, his name opened doors.
On getting to the school, she discovered that her name was not on the
admissions list. She went to the registrar and explained herself. When
she mentioned my father’s name, help came her way….. I feel proud all
the time because he commands much respect wherever he goes. During the
recent national honours ceremony, everyone wanted to meet him and take
pictures with him. He did not have a moment’s rest. Even when we got to
the airport, he was well recognised. People always respect and
appreciate his work.
On his love life “You know how ladies are, she’s always happy that she’s dating the son of the man who designed Nigeria’s flag.”
When asked to describe his father’s health in the last decade?
“I am grateful to the Chief Medical Director of University College,
Ibadan, Prof. Temitope Alonge, who facilitated his getting free medical
care. The chairman of Odua Investments was also supportive then. He gets
free medical check-ups drugs and whatever he needs for his health. He
can walk within the compound and stroll around the neighbourhood. But he
cannot walk a far distance. He spends more time at home now. I and my
sister are always around to take care of him. He is much better now.
And then he concluded saying “It’s something that had always
bothered me that he had not been nationally recognised for his work.
But I realized that God’s time is the best. I have never felt bad about
being a Nigerian. His disposition throughout taught me a lesson that we
should be grateful to God in every situation we find ourselves…Despite
him not being recognized, he never said anything bad about the country
when people ask him. He could even say the house he lives was built for
him by the government whereas it wasn’t. He was always saying good
things about the country. I would say my dad is a true patriot.”
