There has been an outpouring of tributes since the demise of Nigeria’s first chartered accountant, Chief Akintola Williams was made public yesterday from all over the country and beyond.
Prominent among those who mourned the passage of the professional icon and elder statesman is Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, describing his death as a colossal loss.
The Governor said the legacies of Akintola Williams, who died at the age of 104 in his house in Lagos, cannot be forgotten.
Sanwo-Olu in a statement issued yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, said Akintola Williams’ record of service as an accountant of repute and a leader of remarkable achievements will remain indelible for generations to come.
He said the doyen of accounting in Nigeria, who founded the first indigenous chartered accounting firm in Africa, Akintola Williams & Co. in 1952 in Lagos, has brought many honours and pride to Nigeria and Africa, particularly in the financial sector during his lifetime.
Sanwo-Olu also hailed the late centenarian for his pioneering and pacesetting roles in the formation of many institutions in Nigeria, such as the Nigeria Stock Exchange and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
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He said: “On behalf of the government and people of Lagos State, we celebrate the departure of a great legend and the doyen of Accounting in Nigeria, Akintola Williams, who contributed his quota to the financial sector and the economy of Nigeria during his lifetime.
“I commiserate with his family, friends, associates and the entire accountants in Nigeria. I pray for the repose of the soul of the late Akintola Williams and that God grants the financial sector and the deceased family, friends and associates the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
Also, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, mourned the passing of elder statesman and doyen of accounting in Nigeria, Chief Williams, who died aged 104 years.
In a statement, the governor said: “I am immensely saddened by the news of the passing of elder statesman and the doyen of accounting in Nigeria, Chief Akintola Williams, who lived a long and fulfilled life, having made his mark as not only the first Nigerian to qualify as a chartered accountant but led an envious legacy as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished professionals in the corporate world.
“A rare breed nationalist, Chief Williams was perhaps one of the few Nigerian professionals who attained continental acclaim in pre-independent Nigeria, crossed over to the digital age, and kept on with the changes of the times.”
He noted that late Williams played a key role as a nationalist, as he was a contemporary of key figures in Nigeria’s historical development, including Chief Obafemi Awolowo, fighting together for the independence of our dear nation and keeping on with the drive to see Nigeria lead the continent on different fronts.
“Chief Williams, perhaps, made some of the most consequential contributions to the development of the Nigerian economy through his interventions in the setting up of the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
“He was upright, intelligent, and cosmopolitan, making an enormous impact in the business community and in promoting probity and good governance.”
He continued: “The business community has indeed lost a beacon of light and direction. Chief Williams’ absence will be strongly felt. It is indeed the end of an era for the accounting profession in Nigeria.
“I commiserate with the Williams family, friends, and associates and pray that God will grant all the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
The Private sector institutions are not left out too, as they described the Late Chief Williams, as a great professional who demonstrated a high level of integrity.
They spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lagos while reacting to the death of Akintola at a very old age in Lagos.
Dr Sola Obadimu, Director General, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), described his passing as a sad development, even though he lived long and well.
He lauded Williams’s ability to deliver a great succession legacy and urged those in professional practices across all sectors of the economy to emulate same.
“Sir Akintola Williams in his life was with little or no blemish.
“It is very important for our leaders and critical stakeholders to imbibe his professional attitude of succession planning and mentorship, thereby giving the younger people a chance to thrive,” he said.
Dr Christiana Atako, President, Nigerian Institute of Management Chartered (NIM), described Williams as a revered nationalist, renowned philanthropist, and respected statesman.
Atako said that during his lifetime, Williams who was also a literary giant and boardroom maestro discharged himself with transparency, accountability, and probity.
“He will be sorely missed and I pray the Almighty God to grant his soul repose, and comfort his family and the nation,” he said.
Also, Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Director General, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), said by his passing, Nigerian accountants had lost a great pioneering ambassador.
Ajayi-Kadir said that the doyen of accounting was widely acclaimed to be an upright man, who conducted business with integrity and a high sense of professionalism.
He added that the name Akintola Williams was synonymous with the accounting profession in Nigeria and that the elder statesman was instrumental to the growth and development of the financial sector of the economy.
“He was a quintessential accountant, Nigeria’s first indigenous chartered accountant, 76 years ago and is rightly referred to as the doyen of the accounting profession in Nigeria.
“Though I am not an accountant and I do not represent the accounting profession, I have heard and experienced his famed Akintola Williams & Co., now Deloitte & Touche.
“I personally admire him and see him as a statesman, worthy of emulation.
“He is a good testament to what the private sector can bring to the Nigeria project.
“At 104 years, one can say that he lived long, and with his legendary achievements, one can say he lived well.
“May the Lord grant him eternal rest,” he said
