Alayande and also retired as Assistant Superintendent of Agriculture
in the Oyo State ministry. But Pa Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi would be
remembered as a national icon who designed Nigerian flag in 1959 when
he was barely 23. Though, an unsung Nigerian hero, FUNKE OLAODE caught
up with Pa Akinkunmi at his Ibadan Oyo State home and unveils the man
whose name has become synonymous with the national symbol
Growing up in a polygamous setting
I was born in May 1936 in Ibadan, Oyo State in the then Western Region
to the family of the late Pa Akinkunmi. When I was born, my father was
working in a foreign firm, PZ in the North while my mother was a petty
trader. He was a polygamist with three wives and 10 children. Among my
father's 10 children, my mother had three. So it was interesting
growing up in a polygamous setting. Ironically, we didn't experience
acrimony associated with polygamy because my father, as the head of
the family was in charge. What really helped was that the children
didn't grow up together because by the time I was getting older, some
had finished secondary school and moved to Lagos to seek for greener
pasture. So, with an educated father, going to school wasn't a
problem. My father retired from his work while I was still a toddler
but still played his role well as a father in ensuring that our school
fees were paid on time. Apart from his pension, which he collected at
his retirement, he was a very wise man who invested heavily in
property. With that, he was able to sustain his family.
Early education
I began my early education in the North. After my father's retirement,
he came down to the West and I was re-enrolled at Baptist Day School,
IdI-Ikan in Ibadan. Coming to Ibadan was a great relief because of the
harsh condition in the North. As kids, we coped well. I finished from
Baptist Day School in 1949.
Memorable childhood events
We were still in the North when the war broke out but still
experienced a bit of it. Every child that was born in my era would
have recollection of the second world war of 1939 to 1945. I was about
three years when the war broke out. So, I wasn't conscious of that
era. By the time it ended in 1945, I was about nine years and I had a
vivid recollection of how soldiers were being drafted to the war or
kept vigil in many parts of the town. When it was tensed, we would ask
to stay at a particular location. We experienced that till the war
ended.
I didn't play pranks as a kid
I couldn't afford to display any youthful exuberance because my father
was a disciplinarian. He was so disciplined that he didn't indulge us
or spare the rod. And if you wanted to proof stubborn, he always had
his cane at his disposal and one gets slashed. In a way, this put us
in check not to play pranks. Nevertheless, we usually engaged in one
or two. For instance, whenever we were asked to fetch water; we would
go to flowing streams at the end of the town pretending that we were
looking for clean water. In the process, we would use the opportunity
to swim. Coming home would be a problem because our red eyes would
give us away. As kids, we had a way of escaping my parent's wrath.
Schooling
I finished from Baptist Day School Idi-kan in 1949 and proceeded to
Ibadan Grammar School (IGS) in 1950. IGS was a mini Nigeria because
people came from all over the country. I met the likes of Chief Sokan,
Mr. Williams, Goodie Ibru, and the late Chief Dr. Omonigbeyin and so
on. It was a highly competitive school and I was privileged to be
among the 'privileged'. I was lucky that my father was well
established because he was able to take care of my school fees. As
said earlier, he had properties and he appointed caretakers to look
and monitor them. The money accrued at the end of the day was able to
take care for our needs as students. It was interesting to be tutored
and groomed under our principal then, the late Papa Alayande who took
over from Bishop Akinyele, the founder of the school. Pa Alayande was
a good and committed teacher. He was a disciplinarian who always
wanted the best for his students. And when you look at the caliber of
people who went through IGS all of them turned out well. Again, some
of our teachers were expatriates. With Pa Alayande coupled with their
(expatriates) efforts, we enjoyed the best of education of that era.
Beginning a career
I left IGS in 1955 to chart a career path for myself. I took
appointment as an agriculturist at the Western Region Secretariat in
Ibadan as a civil servant. Although, I wanted to go further but there
was no money to pursue such luxury of higher learning. After working
for a few years, there was this yearning for higher education which I
pursued. I had the privilege to travel abroad and attended Norwood
Technical College in London where I studied electrical engineering.
You would wonder what an agriculturist was doing in engineering…well,
they both fall under science. My certificate actually gave me the
intuition to go into engineering as a science student. So, I was
excited when I finally secured admission to go to England which was
another terrain. Coming from Ibadan, an ancient city, I was blown away
with the level of infrastructural development and at the same time I
exercised caution. It was a cold environment but I was able to cope
because I was in good health and we saw the opportunity of a sound
education, which foundation had been laid back home at IGS. We had
good teachers. As a matter of fact, a couple of them were expatriates.
So, schooling in London was like an extension of my secondary school.
You know at IGS, we had adapted to them teaching us through the nose.
So we didn't find it difficult to comprehend what we were being taught
and didn't find it strange when academic commenced in a foreign land.
Coming back to Nigeria from England
There was opportunity to stay back in England after my studies, but
there was this spirit of patriotism in people like us to come back
home. After my training at Norwood Technical College, London, I
returned to Nigeria in 1963 and went back to the agricultural
department at the secretariat in Ibadan to continue where I stopped. I
coped very well as a returnee because there was this urge to
contribute one's quota to the development of the state and Nigeria at
large. I worked as a civil servant till 1994 and retired as Assistant
Superintendent of Agric.
Designing Nigeria's Flag
I was in England when I got involved in what stands me out today as
'Mr. Flag Man'. I was in the Library when I saw an advertisement in
Daily Times (Nigerian Newspaper) in the late 50s. I saw this
advertisement looking for somebody to design National Flag which would
be used for independence celebration in Nigeria in October 1960. I
took part in the competition and sent it to Nigeria. My entry was
dropped at the then legislative chambers, the Tafawa Balewa now Race
Course. Fortunately, my design was picked among 2000 participants from
all over. Few weeks later, a letter was sent to me in England that my
design won. I felt elated and on top of the world that I had done
something significant for my country. When you are talking about
inspiration, I can tell you that God is the greatest inspirator. But
designing an acceptable design that is still being used 53 years on
was borne out of my experience as a Nigerian. One couldn't have
expected a science student to be able to come up with such design that
has become a national symbol. I was a science student who was involved
in technical drawing of equipment. Also, my observation back home,
going to school and later going to work and my day-to-day activities
actually helped me. The people I lived with during my school days
coupled with my experience as an artist helped me to be able to
fabricate that design.
I won 100 pounds for designing Nigeria's flag
I sent in my entry to Nigeria and moved on with my studies in England.
I was surprised, elated and excited when my name was announced as the
winner. I was about 23 years old and it was such a great honour for
me. Actually, I didn't know I would win. I won a prize of a hundred
pounds. The presentation was carried out at the Nigerian embassy in
London. And it has been in use since then. But here I am at 77, I have
not been recognized or given national honour beyond a 100 pounds
received 53 years ago in London. The only time I was remembered was in
2010 when Nigeria celebrated her Golden Jubilee. I was among the 50
nominees that President Goodluck Jonathan presented with a Gold Medal
and a certificate. There was a time a group of students honoured me
and added MON in front of my name in the posters. I was embarrassed
and I came out that I have not been giving a MON or national
recognition. I am happy that in my life time I am still being
celebrated by people who felt I have contributed to my country.
Recently, August 23rd to be precise, the Nigeria-Britain Association
celebrated me in Lagos in appreciation of my involvement with regards
to the designing of the Nigerian flag years ago. In attendance were
Mrs. Francesca Emanuel CON, Chief Keith Richards, MD of Promasidor
Nigeria Limited, Mr. Mike Purves, director United Kingdom Trade and
Investment amongst others. Mr. Ed Keazor, a blogger and historian gave
a presentation of my life. I was humbled that someone somewhere still
cares. Nevertheless, the best moment of my life was still that
exciting moment when my name was announced as the winner of Nigeria's
flag. It was a feat for me.
Getting personal
I came back to Nigeria in 1963 and in 1964 I went back to the
secretariat and settled down as a civil servant. I was about 27 years
when I came back, matured, had a regular income and there was this
urge to start my own family. There was a young damsel who caught my
fancy. Her name was Kudirat. She was a trader, selling kitchen
utensils and materials. As a returnee I tried one or two educated
ladies but I didn't succeed. But one thing I realised in life is that
in all facets of life (even beyond marriage) knowing what suits you. I
courted her and we got married. The marriage is blessed with children.
Some have graduated while some are still schooling.
Fulfilling life's aspiration
Can any man fulfill life's aspirations? My answer is no because we all
aspire for greater things. I went to school, got a job, and have my
family to interact with. In my case, I think to some degree, I can say
well done. I thank God for playing a vital role in my life, passing
through Nigeria and making an impact. Whether national recognition or
not, I am sure when the names of Nigeria's heroes are being mentioned,
my name will be conspicuously present.
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