,,, financial experts extol guru’s virtues
As the doyen of accounting in Nigeria, Pa Akintola Williams, dies at 104, financial experts have continued to celebrate his essence.
They said the death of Williams, Nigeria’s first indigenous chartered accountant Lagos, was a monumental loss to the country.
According to them, he left a good foundation that would forever be remembered.
Uche Uwaleke, Professor of Capital Market at the Nassarawa State University, Keffi, said his loss would leave great footprints on the Nigerian economy.
“He was the only surviving signatory to the instrument that led to the establishment of Lagos Stock Exchange as a company limited by guarantee.
“So, he was not only the Doyen of Accounting profession in Nigeria, but also one of the founding fathers of the Nigerian Capital Market. May God grant him eternal rest,” he said.
Chief Akintola Williams, who died in his sleep was also a Nigerian businessman, the founder of Akintola Williams Consulting Group, one of the largest accounting firms in Nigeria.
He is also the chairman of the Nigerian Stock Exchange and the president of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.
Dr Seyi Awojobi, former Registrar, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, said, “we have lost an institution, a pathfinder, an epitome of professionalism in Nigeria.
“A man who has made the entire economy of Nigeria and the accounting profession inseparable. We thank God for his life and how he lived it.
“His loss is going to be irreplaceable; a doyen, father of finance accounting and of course, a man of integrity. May he live with the saints,’’ Awojobi, also founder, Miniva Academy for Leadership and Ethics, said.
Dr Boniface Chizea, the Managing Director of BIC Consulting Services, an economic and business development consultancy firm, said that Williams lived a fulfilled and impactful life.
Chizea said, “He set up an accounting firm which many of his friends passed through.
“When you talk of ICAN in the Nigerian financial environment, people refer to him as thorough professional.
“So, we thank God for the life he lived and we pray for the family he left behind that the good Lord will strengthen them.’’
Prof. Sheriffdeen Tella of Economics Department, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun, said Williams contributed positively to the development of the accounting profession.
According to Tella, he remains the father of accounting in Nigeria.
“The old man tried his best on the job. He left a good foundation and we thank God that he was fortunate to live a long life to water the seeds he planted.
“We pray that the accounting institutions will continue to grow from strength to strength.
“ICAN has been doing well. So, I’m sure before he died, he was very happy that the institute had been working well. We thank God for life well spent.”
Prof. Akpan Ekpo, Chairman, Foundation for Economic Research and Training, said, “his death is a big loss to the accounting profession in the country.
“I know him to be one of the earlier pioneers of accounting profession in the country, who have trained a lot of accountants through his firm.
“He impacted a lot of accountants immensely from his wealth of experiences. We will really miss him.”
