For our First interview on LIFE ISSUES WITH PREACHER; we discussed with Akinola Solanke, a.k.a Akin Nigeria; a social entrepreneur and a passionate Nigerian with an extraordinary passion for the Nigerian flag and anything green and white. He is the founder Initiative For Promotion of our National Flag a.k.a (BONI FLAG PROJECT) a Non Governmental social enterprise whose core vision is to promote and inspire the spirit of Patriotism and at the same time protect and preserve the dignity and nobility of the Nigerian Flag, through a well coordinated national Value re-orientation campaign. He gave us insight into the mystery behind his name, why so much in love with the flag and his thought about the Nigeria unity.

LIWP: Good afternoon Sir. Why the name Akin Nigeria. Is it a self generated nickname, a post or title?

Akin Nigeria: Interesting question I must say; for me people call me by that name because I guess after having an encounter with me or hear me speak; that’s the best word they can use to summarize their experience of my personality. On the other hand it’s a testimony for me of the power of a true Vision. I have come to realize that one of the test of how much you're sold out to the Vision God has given you is when you get to a point when people or your audience begins to call you by the name of your vision. So it’s not a title nor self-generated.

LIWP: Your passion about the Nigerian flag is shockingly amazing. You campaign so much about respect and value for the Nigerian Flag; does it have anything to do with your childhood experience or is it a personal ministry?

Akin Nigeria: Not at all! I never had a childhood life that's connected to it. I believe it’s a calling. This is not just a vision caught out of something you naturally hate in the society; I believe my passion for the Nigerian Flag is a cause. My eyes were opened to the problem and it became a personal problem and cross I couldn't separate myself from. I actually had an encounter with God that led to the Vision. Since I became aware of my "Nigerianess" (permit me to use that word). I've been looking for a way to express it and God showed me how through the building our national image (Flag Project). When I say "Nigerianess" I mean to become aware of a particular mindset and attitude about my fatherland because today many Nigerians have different conclusions or mindset about Nigeria; both old and young.

LIWP: What are a few of your reflections about your childhood days?

Akin Nigeria: My childhood isn't different from that of an Average Nigerian child. I came from an average family and to God be the glory; I had parents that did all their best to send us to school, raised us to be responsible individuals in the society. However if you want to look at the social inclusions or influence on my childhood then I will say its all marred with the societal ills and decadence that still exist in our nation today. I see today as I reflect that perhaps my life could have been more better if the society had been much more sane and many infrastructures, amenities, structures and institutions especially from government's side to develop quality and patriotic individuals for accelerated national development. People like me need to need to develop a vision to inspire patriotism and respect for the flag when in countries like the United States; there are systems and structures in place to ensure every American child is a die hard patriot and respects the flag and the history of the American nation.

LIWP: What kind of mindset do you cultivate about Nigeria?

Akin Nigeria: A mindset that says, the future of Nigeria or Nigeria becoming better than what it is now lies in the hands of my generation and a conclusion that I am a critical stakeholder and I can't afford to fail the coming generation despite our fathers failed ours. So suffice to say the passion and vision is my God given role that I’m destined to play in this great task before my generation.

LIWP: You pioneered the first ever national Flag Day celebration in the history of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the 30th of September, 2007 at the National stadium, Lagos. Tell us about the event.

Akin Nigeria: Thank you. The Flag day is known as the Birthday of the Flag. It is first celebrated and started in the United States to commemorate the adoption of the Stars and Stripes as American Flag in 1777 before 14th of June was approved by the continental congress as the US Flag day. The purpose of the celebration is to inspire a sense of respect for the national symbol and overall sense of Pride in the country. In 2007, a year after I conceived the Flag Vision, I stumbled on the information about the American Flag Day and researched if it exist in Africa and to my amazement its only Liberia celebrating it, so I took on the challenge of pioneering Nigeria's first Flag day as a way of introducing the celebration to the country to complement my flag campaign effort. This we did in 2007 at the national stadium in Lagos and the 2nd and 3rd edition in 2008 & 2009 in Abeokuta and Jos respectively. Today Ethiopia which started theirs a year after we pioneered the first edition in NGR has passed their flag day bill and celebrate their Flag Day every October. It is our hope that we will have an insightful and patriotic government who understand the place of these celebrations to pass our Flag Day bill.

LIWP: You’re currently advocating that The Flag Day be officially approved by the federal government as a national event; any progress on that? (If no, WHY)

Akin Nigeria: Well on that, many letters and “lobbies” had been made to make this dream a reality and till now nothing has been done in that regard instead what we see is different groups coming out everyday claiming to be also advocating for the Flag Day with almost all their content our original contents. It’s so unfortunate the level of decadence in our institutions where you can't get your ideas across to the appropriate authorities. Rather they will be redesigned and turned into government agenda but its all good as long as they are used to develop the country.

LIWP. Do you get any financial support from government or corporate bodies for this campaign for the Nigeria flag?

Akin Nigeria: No financial support whatsoever and this is our sixth year. However, the only one close to it was the financial support promised by the Governor of Plateau state in 2009 when we took the 3rd National Flag day to the Northern part of the country as part of our advocacy for its recognition by the Federal government but unfortunately it’s not yet fully fulfilled. But nothing from the federal government; all we see instead are the adaptation of most of our campaign ideas to form theirs but its all good as long as our actions get them to do what they're suppose to do in the first place to move the nation forward. Corporate sponsorship has been low, very low but after all is said and done, sponsorship or no sponsorship; God has always helped us year in year out through individuals, members and well meaning Nigerians who believe in our cause to do what we can do within the limited resources.

LIWP. You made your fame and increasing wealth by passionately serving your country while doing your best to protect and preserve the dignity and nobility of the Nigerian Flag; from your experience; is Nigeria still worth serving?

Akin Nigeria: This is a very important question you have asked and it’s a defining one that most Nigerians conclude so easily that Nigeria isn't worth dying for and this is understandably correct if one would consider how much suffering we’ve endured and suffered as a people despite our vast resources. Sincerely, one is correct to say Nigeria isn't worth their death. However, I always try to correct that conclusion by simply trying to help people separate between the person of Nigeria and the unfortunate events and circumstances that has led to her failure and misfortunes. Nothing is wrong with Nigeria but the governance, leadership, social structures, systems and institution that have failed.

LIWP: What’s wrong with Nigeria?

Akin Nigeria: We would be making a grave error and playing to the gallery to condemn the entity called Nigeria; the reason is you will be tampering with the very essence and purpose for which God made your birth a Nigerian because you are Nigeria. Nigeria is not 923,768 sq km (square kilometer) of land area; NO! Nigeria is You! Nigeria is a living thing. I will conclude by one of my best conceived quote which says "Love for your country is not a choice, it’s a responsibility you owe her under God" and you will have to account for it! So we do what we do because that's what we are born for. We are not doing Nigeria a favor by serving her; we are simply fulfilling destiny regardless what the prevalent circumstances and environment.

LIWP: What are the possible militating factors against such patriot act like yours?

Akin Nigeria: One of these factors and challenges is what I just discussed above, and for me it’s the main challenge as it’s difficult to preach the message of love for Nigeria to people who have lost hope in her. Because of its potential to discourage one but thank God many mindset have been re-oriented. Other factors however include insufficient resources especially finances, to execute all aspect of the vision among other normal factors that affect a growing vision generally. But they didn't deter us because of our commitment.

LIWP: What is actually wrong with Nigeria as far as the issue of leadership is concerned?

Akin Nigeria: For me we lack the appropriate Leadership institution and structure in this country. So we shouldn't expect many changes soonest. It’s a foundational problem. Mediocrity has been substituted for Leadership. As long as you have money you are worshiped in the society and this is due to high level of poverty. It’s pathetic to be sincere. Many of us who are pioneering change or the other had to depend on foreign materials and institutions as well as ideals of Leadership to develop ourselves so that we can perhaps begin to collectively develop these ideals for our generation. I will however like to acknowledge the effort of some great men and women who have been so much inspiration to our generation providing leadership in their own rights.

LIWP: Do you believe we can still keep this nation Nigeria by 2015; given the current security and economic situation?

Akin Nigeria: Inasmuch as I agree our unity is so much under threat than any other time in our history, I am of the opinion that our continuity as one nation is non negotiable because the truth is our arguments can be strong on why we have to go apart but the truth remains it will be our greatest undoing and I don't pray we break but however I will pray for Gods will to be done.


LIWP: You took the fore front during the fight to ensure that Federal Government remembers and help the neglected designer of the national flag. Do you think the Nigeria system will reward you at any time point in time; given the fact that the system abandoned the brain behind the flag?

Akin Nigeria: That for me was one of the unfortunate failures of the past generations where major national icons and heroes were abandoned; it’s not just about the designer of the Flag. But looking at my experience and juxtaposing that with my answers to some previous questions; you’ll see I do what I am doing as a matter of obligation and duty as a patriotic citizen and stake holder, not to get anything in return. I will berate the failure of the system for not doing that and that is why I see our movement as that which is going to set up new institutions and order in the Land and one of them is our reward system. How I wish we can invest in citizenship development and see how much returns it will give us in social value and nation building.

LIWP: I want to thank you, Mr. Akinola Solanke Nigeria (Akin Nigeria), for joining us on Life Issues with Preacher. Thank you for all your courage and good work.