The former governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun, has joined other eminent Nigerians to mourn the exit of the doyen of the Accounting profession, Pa Williams Akintola who died on Monday in Lagos at 104.
Amosun said he received with a deep sense of loss the news of the transition of Pa Akintola Williams, the first Chartered Accountant in Nigeria who he said was a father figure to him and would surely miss his words of advice and encouragement.
In a statement personally signed by Senator Amosun and made available to our Correspondent on Tuesday, the former governor said, “I commiserate with the Akintola Williams family, particularly the children and all of us in the Accounting profession on this great loss.
He was the doyen of the accountancy profession in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa, who recorded many firsts; first Chartered Accountant, a pioneermember of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, and its first president.
“He established the first indigenous firm of professional accountants in Nigeria – Akintola Williams & Co, which grew organically and through a merger to become the largest firm of Chartered Accountants in Nigeria. Papa was also a founding member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
“Pa Akintola Williams was a beacon in the Accountancy profession and a true source of inspiration to many, including me.
He was a great achiever whose invaluable contributions and commitment to the growth of Accountancy in Nigeria and Africa are epochal and unquantifiable.
Papa was also known and respected for his passion for Music, Arts, the Environment, and Charitable causes.
“On a more personal note, I recall the invaluable support he gave to our administration between 2011 and 2019 and the good people of Ogun State by attending personally our annual budget presentation at the Ogun State House of Assembly.
He supported greatly the establishment of the Elderly Home Hostel in Abeokuta. I will miss his fatherly disposition towards me, and his words of advice, and encouragement.
“May the Almighty God grant the doyen of the accounting profession eternal rest, and give his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the entire Akintola Williams family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
“Adieu to a great son of Ogun State, one of the progenitors of Ogun Standard”, the statement concluded.
