The passing of Nigeria’s esteemed figure in the field of Accounting, Chief Akintola Williams, has deeply saddened the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D. Chief Williams, who reached the remarkable age of 104, departed this world on Monday, leaving behind an indelible legacy.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Musa Abdullahi Krishi, the Speaker paid tribute to Chief Williams, hailing him as a luminary not only in Nigeria but across the African continent and beyond. He described Chief Williams as a shining star in the global Accounting profession, whose brilliance illuminated the entire Accounting landscape.
In these challenging times for Nigeria’s economy, Speaker Abbas acknowledged that the loss of such a financial luminary would be keenly felt. He fondly recalled Chief Williams’ numerous achievements and groundbreaking milestones, including his distinction as Nigeria’s first Chartered Accountant.
Speaker Abbas also reminisced about Chief Williams’ historic establishment of Africa’s first indigenous Chartered Accounting firm, Akintola Williams & Co, in Lagos in 1952. Additionally, Chief Williams played a pivotal role in the inception of the Association of Accountants in Nigeria in 1960, serving as its inaugural President.
As a founding member and the first President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Chief Akintola Williams left an indomitable mark as a pillar of the Accounting profession. His instrumental role in the creation of the Nigerian Stock Exchange further highlighted his contributions to the nation’s financial landscape.
Speaker Abbas Tajudeen called upon the Federal Government and the governing bodies representing Accounting professionals to ensure Chief Williams’ immortality, recognizing his immense contributions to the advancement of Nigeria’s financial sector.
It is worth noting that Chief Akintola Williams was the elder brother of the late Chief Frederick Rotimi Alade Williams, the first Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who lived from December 16, 1920, to March 26, 2005.
Speaker Abbas offered his heartfelt prayers for the peaceful repose of Chief Akintola Williams’ soul.
