Former president of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 presidential election and former vice president of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar; Lagos and Ogun State governors, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Prince Dapo Abiodun, among other prominent Nigerians have expressed their heartfelt condolences over the death of the doyen of the accounting profession in Africa, Akintola Williams, whose death occurred yesterday at his residence in Lagos.
It was gathered that Akintola Williams, Nigeria’s first indigenous chartered accountant, died in his sleep yesterday morning at the age of 104.
The renowned accountant, who was born in 1919, studied accounting at the University of London and qualified as a chartered accountant in 1947.
He returned to Nigeria and later set up his accounting firm, Akintola Williams & Co., now Deloitte & Touche, in 1952.
Williams was also a strong advocate for developing the accounting profession in Nigeria.
He was a founding member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and was its president from 1963 to 1965.
Williams was also a member of the National Board of Accountants and Auditors.
He received many awards and honours, including the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) and the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM). He was also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
His younger brother, the late Chief FRA Williams (SAN), was one of the pillars of Nigerian law. He was popularly referred to as Timi the Law.
In a press statement released yesterday in Abéòkúta, Chief Obasanjo described the deceased as “a Nigerian, who was so pervasive and consistent in his contributions and influence to the accounting profession in particular and the nation in general”.
He described the late Williams as an icon and an unusual human specimen as well as a nationally-renowned and globally-acclaimed accountant.
Going down memory lane, the former president noted that in the over 50 years of his relationship with Pa Williams, “I had directly and indirectly enjoyed his advice and support. In his cucumber cool, sober and unruffled disposition, he inspired you and warmed you to himself.
“His reflections and piercing insights and insistence on truth and accountability cannot but inspire you. I often admired his calm mien and disposition and when I asked a friend, ‘why is he always so calm, composed and methodical?’ He answered, ‘It is because he has a strong internal antenna for controls!’”
“I must confess that my interactions with Mr. Akintola Williams were tangential for a number of reasons. When those of us in the military in the province like Kaduna, where I was, came to Lagos in the mid-1960s, we were looking at the likes of Mr. Akintola Williams at a distance with great admiration and in awe.”
Obasanjo added that, having lived for 104 years, Williams cannot, by any stretch of the imagination, be considered to have died an untimely or premature death.
“I pray that the Almighty grant him sweet repose and give you and other members of his family the strength to bear the heavy and irreparable loss,” Obasanjo was quoted as having said.
Also, former vice president Atiku Abubakar, in a condolence message by his media office, said that “the late Akintola Williams was not just the grandfather of accounting in Nigeria, his lifetime was a great lesson in moral uprightness.”
Atiku added that “the Williams’ family had provided Nigeria with great stars whose lights shall remain glowing in our memory as a country.”
According to him, Akintola Williams was a blessed man, “and that is even more manifest in the good, long life that he enjoyed till the prime age of 104.”
The former Vice President condoled with the Williams family over the loss of their patriarch, praying that God uphold the family at this peculiar moment.
He also condoled with the people and government of Lagos State over the loss of an illustrious and towering personality.
On his part, the Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, described Akintola’s death as the “end of an era and passing of Nigeria’s pioneered chartered accountant.”
In a letter of condolence he issued yesterday in Abeokuta, the state capital, Abiodun 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.
The governor, however, prayed for the repose of his soul and for the family and well-wishers to have the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.
In the same vein, Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also mourned the passage of the elder statesman, Akintola Williams, describing his death as a colossal loss.
The governor said his legacies cannot be forgotten.
Governor 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, 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: “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 grant the financial sector and the deceased family, friends and associates the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
Dr Sir Ike Nwokolo, former president of ICAN and chairman of past presidents of ICAN, described Williams as a father figure and one who helped him to become who he is in the profession. Nwokolo said that Pa Williams “lived a life worthy of emulation and I am grateful to him as he was a father to me.
“Pa Williams mentored so many of us in the profession as someone who was the first chartered accountant in Nigeria and Africa. We will surely miss him.”
A family member, Mrs Maria Olateju Phillips (Née Fernandez), also extolled Williams’ sterling qualities.
Mrs Phillips, chairman of LASACO Assurance Plc and a former commissioner in Lagos State, said Pa Williams played major roles in her life right from when she was young as someone from his mum’s family.
“I am indebted to Pa Akintola Williams because he played major roles in my life. From my youth, he piloted my career as an accountant. As the daughter of Ambassador Antonio ‘Dehinde Fernandez, he was the chairman at my wedding and also at my daughter’s wedding. So I am here as a family member to pay my respects and condole with family on this huge loss. Baba lived an exemplary life and showed us the way,” said Phillips.
Among the early callers who came to pay their last respect to the icon were Sir Louis Mbanefo, Kayode Rotimi Williams, Bola Williams Akinjide, Lady Tadeu Alex Ibru, Tokunbo Williams, Bashir Bisi Oguntuga, Jumoke Abili, Dr & Mrs Simon Coker, Kunbi Ogunmekan, Fadesola Sotinwe, Sir Ike Nwokolo, Ken Nwokolo, Mr Tobi Fletcher, Sir Emeka Nwokedi, and Dr Efun Johnson.
