Govs Sanwo-Olu, Abiodun Mourn Over Death Of Foremost Nigerian Chartered Accountant

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has described the death of the first indigenous chartered accountant, Akintola Williams, as a colossal loss to the nation, saying that his contributions cannot be forgotten.

It was learnt that Williams died at his Lagos residence at the age of 104 on Monday.

In a statement issued on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, Mr Sanwo-Olu said Williams’ record of service as an accountant of repute and a leader of remarkable achievements would remain indelible for generations to come.

He said the doyen of accounting in Nigeria, who founded the first indigenous chartered accounting firm in Africa, Williams and 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.

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.”

Similarly, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, described the passing of Nigeria’s pioneered Chartered Accountant as the end of an era.

The governor, in a statement he personally signed, eulogized the immeasurable contributions of the late Accountant to the field of Accountancy, saying his impacts in the profession will continue to be remembered and celebrated among generations of Accountants in years to come.

He, therefore, prayed for the repose of his soul and for the family and well-wishers to have the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.

“On behalf of the government and the good people of Ogun State, I want to express my heartfelt condolences to the family of the doyen of Accounting, late Chief Akintola Williams, who passed on to glory today.

“While we are going to miss his priceless contributions for over seven decades in the field of accounting, our solace lies in the profound legacies he left behind and his indelible footprints.

“May God Almighty rest his soul and continue to strengthen his family, numerous mentees and all his admirers all over the world,” the statement read.