The designer of the Nigerian flag Pa. Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi has died at the age of 87.

 The octogenarian died in the early hours of Tuesday after a brief illness.

His demise was announced via the Facebook account of one of his children.

He wrote, “Life is indeed transient; I can say boldly that you live a life with a landmark. Continue to rest, my father! Pa Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi (O.F.R.): Great Man has gone.”

Reacting to his death, President Bola Tinubu, in a statement  issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, condoled with friends and associates of the retired civil servant, who dedicated his life to the service of the nation, sharing knowledge and experience with old and young, and inspiring many to think and act patriotically.

Noting that the Green and White flag is a legacy that has consistently reflected the fruitfulness, resilience, and harmony enjoyed by the nation, President Tinubu said it represented the boldness and uniqueness with which Nigerians characteristically reach for and achieve success around the world.

The President believed Pa Akinkunmi lived and worked for the greatness of the country, with a generational legacy and a place of honour in Nigeria.

Born Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi on May 10, 1936 in Ibadan.

He was the older of a set of twins, and lived with his father until he was eight years old before he relocated to the Northern part of Nigeria.

Pa. Taiwo Akinkunmi began his early education in the North and after his father’s retirement, he came down to the West and was re-enrolled at Baptist Day School, Idi-Ikan in Ibadan.

He was a Nigerian civil servant who was best known for designing Nigeria’s national flag.

Akinkunmi started his career as a civil servant at the Secretariat of Ibadan and later travelled overseas to study Agricultural Engineering at Norway Technical College.

In 1958, during his stay abroad, Akinkunmi stumbled upon an advertisement in a national daily calling for the submission of designs for the Nigerian national flag in view of Nigeria’s imminent Independence from British governance.

Akinkunmi’s design was selected because of its ingenuity and profundity (the green bands represent the forests and abundant natural wealth of the country, while the white band represents peace).

The flag was officially hoisted on Independence Day (October 1, 1960) instead of the British Union Jack.

Commonly referred to as “Mr Flag Man”, Akinkunmi was awarded 100 pounds by the government when his design was selected.

He has also been honoured with the MON (Member of the Order of the Niger) Award by President Goodluck Jonathan.