EXCLUSIVE: Nigerian Flag Designer- Son Narrates His Father’s Neglect, Pains, Gains (See Photos)

Due to Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi’s flailing health condition, the Nigerian flag designer couldn’t narrate his experience of how he won the bid to design the Nigerian flag.

But Akinwumi Akinkunmi, his first son and a graduate of Federal Polytechnic Offa exclusively told Naij.com how his father was neglected like a forgotten hero, his pains and gains over the years.

How would you describe your father?

My father is someone who naturally likes to be of service to others. He cares so much about his children, and he is easy-going. He is so passionate about anything he does. One interesting thing you can’t take away from him is the fact that he is passionate about Nigeria getting better.

 

Your father became renowned by designing the Nigerian flag. In the course of your interaction, he must have told you his experience. Can you tell the story?

He actually designed the Nigerian flag in 1958 though it was officially hoisted in 1960. When he designed the flag, he was studying Electrical Engineering at Norway Technical College, London. He came across the advert in a newspaper and he took details and sent his entries. Of course, he never expected he would win but as divinely ordained, he won the competition and his design was accepted by the judges as the best. Though the original flag was designed with the Nigerian coat of arms, the judges made the adjustment and he was given a cash prize of 100 pounds and that single experience changed his story.

L-R Omolola Akinkunmi Alao (daughter), Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi and Son, Akinwumi Akinkunmi

Can you recall instances where being a son to the Nigerian flag designer has brought opportunities your way?

It is natural for me to be happy and feel blessed being the first son of the Nigerian flag designer. I’m always happy especially when I see the Nigerian flag and people talked about what my father did for the country. On the other hand, I wouldn’t want to say I feel bad because of the way he was initially neglected. My father taught us to be contended in life and that has been our philosophy of life. Sometimes, i don’t want people to know me but somehow one thing would expose me. But it brings honour and respect when people make reference to my father’s works.

I remember there was a particular incident when I was in school. My dad and I went to attend his award ceremony in Abuja so I missed a particular lecture. When I got back to school, the lecturer asked why I didn’t attend his lecture. He later sent me out. But I went to his office to beg him and he said if I can give him a genuine reason he would pardon him. I later told him that my dad was one of the awardees at the Nigerian independence ceremony in Abuja. He asked of my name and he collected my handout to check the name written on it. He asked if I’m a son to the man who designed the Nigerian flag and said yes. He gladly pardoned me and that was a memorable experience for me.

Another instance was in year 2010 when former minister of information, late Dora Akinluyi called me to say my dad would be honored. That was during the rebanding Nigeria programme. Before then, nothing was done to honour him since he designed the Nigerian flag. Some government officials had once called in similar manner and nothing would eventually happen. So initially, i didn’t take it serious until we went got to the event, took pictures. It was another memorable day.

You made reference to the fact that your dad was being neglected, kindly expatiate?

Since my dad designed the Nigerian flag in 1958 and was officially used in 1960, the government did not deem it fit to honour him. Apart from the 100 pounds he received as wining price for the entry, he has not received any other form of financial reward. Not until when former president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan honored him during the 50th independence celebration and gave him national award OFR and life time salary.

But there was this report that a particular Telecommunication company gave him some money?
MTN is a non-government organization. When the MTN team came to visit (that was the former house), they felt this man was not supposed to be living in that condition They now decided to bring him to the Who Wants To Be A Millionaire show. They now had to change it Who Deserved To Be A Millionaire. He was in the studio, participated in the show in concert with some celebrities who answered questions on his behalf and he won. For what he did for Nigeria, truly he deserves to be a millionaire.

Taiwo Akinkunmi’s residence

Are you saying he has been given adequate honour or recognition as expected?

Well, like I said our philosophy of life as our father us is to be contented. Though I feel he deserves more, we are not in position to demand more.I can’t say this is the particular thing government should do. Whatever they think is ideal to honour the man, it is their call.

What is your message for Nigeria at 55?

My wish is for Nigeria to experience growth and development. I admonish all Nigerians to support the new government in his move to reposition the country. God bless Nigeria.

The post EXCLUSIVE: Nigerian Flag Designer- Son Narrates His Father’s Neglect, Pains, Gains (See Photos) appeared first on Nigeria News today & Breaking news | Read on NAIJ.COM.

EXCLUSIVE: Nigerian Flag Designer- Son Narrates His Father’s Neglect, Pains, Gains (See Photos)

Military: no amount of distractions ‘ll deter us from ending terrorism by December

The military yesterday said no amount of distractions would deter it from ending terrorism by December.

The Theatre Commander, Operation “Lafiya Dole”, Maj.-Gen. Yushau Abubakar, gave this assurance while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Abubakar was reacting to the recent spate of suicide bombings by suspected insurgents in some parts of the country.

He pointed out that the bombings were aimed at diverting the attention of the military from achieving its target in the anti-terrorism war.

“I want to assure all that for every second that passes, we get more committed to fighting the insurgents; we cannot be deterred.

“We are doing as much as we could to ensure that we completely eradicate the insurgents as quickly as possible because we are aware of the timeline within which to complete the task,” he said.

He said the military had already gotten clues about those involved in the recent suicide bombings in Maiduguri.

“We searched the houses and certain items that we recovered at the vicinity, gave us some clues,” Abubakar said.

He said although investigations had commenced on the clues, it would take time before reaching a conclusion.

“Investigation on those that we suspect are either participating or hiding, fuelling or conniving with those that carried out those acts, is ongoing.

“They will be exposed in due course,” Abubakar assured Nigerians.

He appealed to Nigerians to be security conscious to avoid future reccurrence.

“The citizens need to know that security is their personal responsibility as individuals.

“They must be able to secure themselves and doing so means they need to be security conscious.

“Any suspicious movement within the environment should be reported to security agents immediately,” he advised

Abubakar said the military was working on a strategy that would enable individuals pass vital information to security agents without being noticed.

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Crocodile found in Niger presidential suite

A crocodile was found alive in the Niger State Presidential Suite in Minna where the Finance committee investigating the finances of the immediate past government in the state has been sitting.

The crocodile was discovered under a car of a guest lodging in the suite by some security men who came with another guest.

The discovery caused panic among workers at the secretariat of the finance committee, the housekeepers and cooks as they were unable to continue with their work.

The security men were able to catch the crocodile and took it away while the staff were calmed down and assured that it was not a usual incident .

The incident was confirmed by the Chief Press Secretary to Niger state Governor, Dr. Ibraheem Dooba who said that it was very unusual for a crocodile to be found in the Presidential suite as the area is not the kind of environment that a crocodile can be found.

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Security operatives keep watch at Abuja blasts scene

Two days after the multiple bomb blasts in Kuje, on the suburb of Abuja in which several people were killed and others injured, security operatives are still keeping vigil at the scene.

Business activities are still on hold as shops in the affected area are under lock and key.

Nobody is allowed to move close to the scene.

Residents and other passerby are still in shock over the incident.

The Democratic People’s Congress (DPC) on Sunday condemned the bomb blasts in a statement signed by the party’s National Chairman, Rev. Olusegun Peters.

“We vehemently denounce the killing of innocent Nigerians by misguided terrorists. It is outrageous, obnoxious, detestable and barbaric. Our hearts go out to the families that lost their loved ones.

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Sanchez, Muller, Lewandowki Grab Brace On Super Sunday

Arsene Wenger welcomes Manchester United and Louis Van Gaal to the Emirates stadium in the hopes of moving level on points with the red devils in second place.

Second on the table Manchester United visit Arsenal hoping to inflict the Gunner second consecutive defeat at hime after the setback against Olympiakos.

Manchester United bring in Carrick for Schneiderlin while Ashley Young replaces Antonio Valencia. Petr Cech and Theo Walcott start for Arsenal in which is their strongest eleven.

READ ALSO: (Video) Referees Are Responsible For Our Poor Form – Mourinho

Meanwhile Dortmund will hope to end Bayern Munich’s 100% start to the season when they visit Allianz Arena. Thomas Tuchel has breathe new life into Dortmund after the departure of Jurgen Klopp and his side side second in Bundesliga  behind Bayern.

Bayern will hope top scorer Robert Lewandowski is in good form facing his former side while Dotmund can call on Aubameyang to produce the goods.

Lewandowsji celebrates his hat0trick against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League

FACT:

– Arsenal have won 17 games in the Premier League during 2015, no side has won more than that.

– Juan Mata has been directly involved in exactly 50% of Man United’s Premier League goals this season (6 out of 12).

Arsenal XI vs. Manchester United: Cech; Bellerin, Mertesacker, Gabriel, Monreal; Coquelin, Cazorla; Ramsey, Ozil, Sanchez; Walcott.

Manchester United XI vs. Arsenal: De Gea; Young, Smalling, Blind, Darmian; Carrick, Schweinsteiger; Mata, Rooney, Depay; Martial

Tottenham XI vs. Swansea: Lloris; Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Alli, Dier; Chadli, Eriksen, Lamela; Kane.

Swansea XI vs. Tottenham: Fabianski; Rangel, Fernandez, Williams, Taylor; Ki, Shelvey, Ayew, Sigurdsson, Montero; Gomis.

Bayern XI vs. Dortmund: Neuer; Lahm, Boateng, Martinez, Alaba; Alonso, Thiago Alcantara, Gotze; Muller, Douglas Costa, Lewandowski.

Dortmund XI vs. Bayern Munich: Bürki; Piszczek, Hummels, Bender, Sokratis; Gündogan, Weigl; Castro, Kagawa, Mkhitaryan; Aubameyang.

---

FT: Bayern Munich 5 – 1 Dortmund.

Meanwhile in Germany Bayern are running riot against Dortmund. Bayern 5 – 1 Dortmund after 70 mins. Muller (2), Lewandowski (2) and Gotze on the score sheet while Aubemayang scored for Dortmund.

Thomas Muller and Lewandowski celebrate

FULL TIME: Arsenal 3 – 0 Manchester United. Three goals in the opening 2o mins condemns United to Super Sunday defeat. Alexis Sanchez scores a third minuted goal from an Ozil cutback. Ozil himself then found the net following a niccee counter then Sanchez added a third with a powerful shot from 25 yards.

Sanchez celebrates his first goal

90′ Arsenal just looking to see out this game in a lazy manner

89′ Arsenal looking comfortable in possession as they look to see out the match, still Arsenal 3 – 0 Man Utd

82′ SUB: James Wilson comes on for Juan Mata

80′ SUB: Sanchez off, Gibbs on

GOOOOOAAAAALLLLLL!!!!! Lewandowski is at it again. Its Bayern 3 – 1 Dortmund. He has now scored 11 goals in his last 4 games for Bayern Munich. The run continues

78′ Gabriel makes a good challenge to rob the ball from Martial in the box

Meanwhile in Germany, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the first player in Bundesliga history to score in the first 8 games of a season. Still Bayern 2 – 1 Dortmund

75′ SUB: Walcott, Ozil off. Giroud, Oxlade-Chamberlain on.

69′ Cech does well to stand tall and deny Fellani a chance to head thee ball at goal from a Schweinsteiger cross

68′ Cech goes down well to deny Schweinsteiger

65′ Manchester United have played better in this second half but the chances are far and between

HT: Bayern 2 – 1 Aubemeyang. Thomad Muller scores two (one penalty) but Aubemeyang pulls one back

61′ Rooney makes space for himself and volleys well from outside the box but Cech does to push around the post

60′ Martial dribbles two in the box and falls but the referee isn’t falling for his theatrics

56′ Arsenal counter lovely with Bellerin and Sanchez but When Bellerin is fed by Walcott he is indecisive and Smalling recovers well to clear

54′ Rooney is booked for a blocking Ozil who was too tricky for him. The game is looking more balanced in this second half

52′ VOLLEY!!!! Ozil takes a freekick but it is blocked. His rebounded volley is also blocked for a corner

51′ Carrick trips Ramsey who was on his way on goal. A card could have been given on another day.

50′ Coquielin is booked for tripping Rooney who was away on a counter

48′ Young creates space for himself and shoots from 25 yards but Petr Cech is up to the task. Catches well and holds well

46′ Second half kicks off. Valencia and Fellaini on, Darmian and Memphis off

GOOOOOAAAAALLLLL!!!! Thomas Mueller scores for Bayern Munich. Bayern 1 – 0 Dortmund

HT: Arsenal 3 – 0 Manchester United. Alexis Sanchez scores a third minuted goal from an Ozil cutback. Ozil himself then found the net following a niccee counter then Sanchez added a third with a powerful shot from 25 yards. All the goals were scored in the first 20mins.

45+ Offside against Walcott

45+ Two minutes of added time given

44′ GREAT SAVE by Cech. Martial holds off Mertesacker and turns superbly but Cech who he finds himself one on one with saves brilliantly

42′ Maroune Fellaini can be seen warming up on the touchline

38′ ANOTHER MISSED CHANCE: Walcott robs Carrick in midfield, feeds Ramsey who gives pass master Ozil who immediately feeds Walcott on the right but the Englishman’s one time shot is way off target

37′ Rooney tries to lob Petr Cech who is in goal but the legendary goalie does well to position himself for a catch

35′ GOOOOAAAAALLLL!!!! Harry Kane scores an own goal. Swansea 2 – 1 Tottenham

33′ WHAT A MISSED CHANCE!!!!! Sanchez feeds Ramsey whose volley is just wide of the target. Arsenal bossing this game from all angles

Kick off: Bayern 0 – 0 Dortmund

29′ Yellow card. Matteo Darmian receives a caution for pulling back Alexis Sanchez

29′ The Bayern Vs Dortmund game will start in a jiffy. Meanwhile its Swansea 1 – 1 Tottenham. Andre Ayew scored for the Swans before Cristian Eriksen scored for Tottenham

24 BRILLIANT STRIKE by Carzola!!!! The Spaniard lobs the ball over Schiwansterger with his head and takes a shot which is just off target. SO CLOSE

21′ Ashley Young is booked after a wrong challenge on Ramsey who was on a counter attack

18′ GOOOOOOAAAAALLLLLL!!!!! Sanchez scores again. WHAT A ROCKET after Ramsey feeds him on the left

17′ United growing into the game now. Darmian tries a cross but its way off target

16′ Memphis Depay whips a shot cum cross into the box but its cleared by Mertesacker

12′ Manchested United are finding it hard to get going. Wayne Rooney playing behind United two center midfielders and leaving Martial isolated upfront

9′ The pace of the game is slowed down a little since those two goals but Arsenal still looking dangerous with Ozil, Walcott and Ramsey pulling all the strings

6′ GOOOOOOOOAAAAALLLLLL!!!!! Ozil makes it two. Ozil starts off a counter and feeds Walcott who skins Smalling in the box and passes back to him to curl into the net

Alexis Sanchez has now been involved in 6 goals in his last 3 games for Arsenal in all competitions.

5′ GOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLL!!!! Arsenal’s pressure pays off as Alexis Sanchez pokes into the net from Ozil’s cross

3′ Arsenal looking the better side since thhis game started

3′ Arsenal earn a corner off Rooney and when it is played it, it falls to Walcott after some bouncing around but Carrick is there to clear

2′ Carzola plays the free-kick and De Gea has to be alert to clear

1′ Matteo Darmian is punished for a foul on Walcott on the left

1′ Arsenal kick off against Manchester United, Dortmund vs Bayern Munich starts 4.30pm

The post Sanchez, Muller, Lewandowki Grab Brace On Super Sunday appeared first on Nigeria News today & Breaking news | Read on NAIJ.COM.

Sanchez, Muller, Lewandowki Grab Brace On Super Sunday

Flood sacks 33 villages in Niger

Thirty three riverine villages in Lapai Local Government area of Niger State have been sacked by flood from Rivers Niger and Kogi.

Fifteen of the affected villages are currently submerged by the flood, displacing residents of the villages while the access roads to 18 other villages have been washed off by the flood. Inhabitants of the worst hit villages are currently camping at Primary Schools in Arah and Dere villages under deplorable living conditions.

Domestic animals and multi-million Naira properties,which include residential buildings, schools, places of worship and vast farmland have been destroyed and washed away by the flood.

House of Representatives member representing Agaie/Lapai Federal constituency, Hon. Mohammed Abdulkadir Mahamud and his State House of Assembly counterpart for Lapai constituency, Hon. Adamu Hassan Abugi who paid a fact-finding visit to the affected areas on Sunday expressed concern for the victims.

The two legislators who are indigenes of the area assured the affected communities of state government determination to alleviate their sufferings by relocating them upland of banks of the two major rivers.

Addressing the displaced persons at Dere Primary School, Hon. Mahmud said the state governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello promised to come to the aid of the affected communities following a preliminary report sent to him.

“We have spoken to the governor of the degree of devastation caused by the flood and he (governor) has promised to come to our aid with a view to relocating our people upland. And I know that the governor will not disappoint us,” the lawmaker assured his people.

He also called for the take off of the Hydro-Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) in order to address the annual flooding of the area.

“It is high time for states under HYPPADEC to come toigether and ensure the takeoff of the Commission, so that lasting solution could be found to this perennial flooding and protect our people from suffering annually as a result of flood,” Mahmud appealed.

Earlier the village head of Dere, Alhaji Idris Dere who recounted their losses said this year’s flooding was more devastating and called on the three tiers of government to come to their aid.

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Nigeria At 55: We Have A Leader Who Is Ready To Kill – Celebrity DJ

Chocolate City’s DJ Caise spoke to Naij.com in a recent chat and touched on the Nigerian sociopolitical state as well as future expectations as the nation marks her 55th Independence Anniversary.

DJ Caise

What do you make of Nigeria at the moment in terms of political and socioeconomic growth and development?

“Every stage matters and we are growing.”

What are your suggestions for the authorities in terms of how to better the polity?

READ ALSO: Nigeria At 55 – The Naked Truth By Victoria Kimani

“Corruption is the bane of this country and thank God we have a leader who is ready to kill this and so we can see things are changing right about now …”

Where do you see Nigeria in a few years from now?

“We’ve had our bad and good moments and  I definitely think we are going higher.”

If you were to be in charge of a state or the nation, what are the top five sectors you will prioritize/ the top five projects you will execute?

“Power (grassroots electrification), Road, Healthcare, Jobs, Youth Empowerment (Sport).” 

READ ALSO: Nigeria At 55: We Are A Country Heading To The Right Direction – Skales

Wish Nigeria a happy Independence in your words

“Wishing  our dreams of a new tomorrow come true for us…. Happy Independence Nigeria .”

 

The post Nigeria At 55: We Have A Leader Who Is Ready To Kill – Celebrity DJ appeared first on Nigeria News today & Breaking news | Read on NAIJ.COM.

Nigeria At 55: We Have A Leader Who Is Ready To Kill – Celebrity DJ