Sanwo-Olu, Abiodun mourn Akintola Williams
Following news of the demise of Pa Akintola Williams, Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Ogun State counterpart, Prince Dapo Abiodun have mourned the passing of Nigeria’s pioneered Chartered Accountant, Akintola Williams.
Akintola was reported to have died on Monday at his residence in Lagos at the age of 104.
The Ogun State Governor in a statement eulogised 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.
Governor Sanwo-Olu in a statement issued 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.
Governor 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.”
