GNEXT plans home makeover for Nigerian flag designer, Akinkunmi

Taiwo Akinkunmi designed the Nigerian flag at the age of 25.

Taiwo Akinkunmi might not resound in the hearts of Nigerians, especially the younger generation; but if history was being taught properly, he should be a household name in Nigeria, being the man who designed the Nigerian flag at the age of 25 while he studied in London.

His flag design was accepted amongst other designs, for its ingenuity and depth. This, at the time, shot Mr. Akinkunmi into limelight and enlisted him amongst Nigeria’s heroes and icons.

Now, Mr. Akinkunmi, a man whose ingenious work of creativity we still enjoy each time we gaze at the Nigerian flag, lives in an ill befitting house in Ibadan and suffers from Parkinson’s disease.

A group of young, impact- oriented minds under the cover of GNext Youth Organization have, however, taken it upon themselves to give this icon’s home a complete makeover.

The GNext Youth, through the home makeover, would renovate his living room and bedroom.

Electrical appliances windows, window frames and furniture will be replaced. And to give the home a beautiful ambiance, the house will be repainted and flowers will be planted all round the house.

Renovations are to commence from May 8 till May 10, when it would be declared open by the First Lady of Oyo State in a ceremony that would equally mark Mr. Akinkunmi’s birthday.

In an official release by one of the co-founders of GNEXT youth club, Olufemi Olumide, the group said “We intend to have a three day Makeover for Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi from 8th-10th of May. We would do this by harnessing from our large network, of youth volunteers from institutions, organizations, churches and corporate organizations to lend helping hands with the renovation, theme (Interior designs) his Living room, and bedroom”.

“We intend to change window frames, repaint the fence, plant flowers and beautify the compound, engage Carpenters, Bricklayers, Tile workers and Painters to do the finishing, erect a Huge Nigerian Flag at the entrance of his residence, replace furniture, TV and electrical appliances, and conduct a press conference stating our intention.”