President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday mourned the Doyen of Accounting in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa, Chief Akintola Williams, who passed away on Monday at the age of 104.
Tinubu who joined Akintola’s family, friends and associates in mourning him expressed pain over the loss, and also sympathized with the Government and people of Lagos and Ogun States, the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAN), the Nigerian Stock Exchange, and other financial institutions that were founded by the centurion.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.
The statement reads in part: “Oloye Williams epitomized integrity, resilience and resourcefulness which was amply demonstrated when he established the first accounting firm, Akintola Williams & Co (Deloitte & Touche), by an African, in 1952, which inspired self-confidence in a generation of professionals who would make further impact in strengthening transparency and competence in the Accounting profession.”
The President also emphasized the late Akintola’s immense contributions to the growth of the nation and humanity, particularly with respect to his investments in lifting the most impoverished and vulnerable citizens of the country through his robust support for education and healthcare institutions.
He also stated that Chief Akintola scored many firsts in establishing many institutions that have shaped the African economy over his lifetime.
President Tinubu, therefore, prayed God to receive the soul of Oloye Williams, and comfort his beloved family.
News About Nigeria also gathered that, as the first indigenous chartered accountant in Nigeria and the public service, Akintola served at various times as the Chairman of the Federal Income Tax Appeal Commissioners; Member of the Coker Commission of Inquiry into the Statutory Corporations of the former Western Region of Nigeria; Member of the Board of Trustees of the Commonwealth Foundation; and as the Chairman of the Public Service Review Panel to correct the anomalies in the Udoji Salary Review Commission.
