The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has reacted to the death of prominent Nigerian accountant, Chief Akintola Williams.
The iconic accountant passed away at the age of 104 years old as earlier reported by Naija News.
Atiku, in a condolence message by his media office on Monday, said that, “The late Akintola Williams was not just the grandfather of Accounting in Nigeria, his lifetime was a great lesson in moral uprightness.”
Pointing out the contribution of the Williams family in general, Atiku recalled that the deceased was the elder brother to also late famous lawyer, Chief FRA Williams and the PDP candidate acknowledged that “The Williams’ family had provided Nigeria with great stars whose lights shall remain glowing in our memory as a country.”
Atiku remarked that Chief 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 also condoled with the Williams family over the loss of a patriarch, praying that God should uphold the family at this peculiar moment.
Atiku also sent condolences to the people and government of Lagos State over the loss of an illustrious and towering personality according to a statement from his media office.
Also, Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun has described the passing of Pa Akintola Williams, the country’s first indigenous chartered accountant, as “a void that can truly never be filled.”
Dapo Abiodun, in a post on X described Pa Williams as ‘a guiding light, a beacon of hope, and a source of inspiration for all and the Accountancy profession in Nigeria.’
He said, “His dedication to our country’s progress and his tireless efforts to bring about positive change have left an indelible mark on our society. Mr Akintola Williams exemplified the true spirit of leadership and service, and his loss leaves a void that can never truly be filled,” the post partly reads.
Former Minister of Education, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili in a post on X said the late Williams lived a ‘historically impactful life.”
“Awww, it’s Goodbye at last. What a historically impactful life! Praise God for the legend that was the doyen of the accountancy profession in Africa, Pa Akintola Williams. He had only some weeks ago celebrated his 104th birthday and has now passed on to the great beyond,” she said.
Former Kaduna Senator, Shehu Sani described his death as a ‘great loss to the country.’
His words, “The death of Pa Akintola Williams, the nation’s patriarch of the accountancy profession is a great loss to the country. He was a man who lived through all seasons and beyond. A rare, outstanding and accomplished statesman & http://marathoner. My condolences to his family.”
Meanwhile, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has mourned the passage of elder statesman, Akintola Williams, describing his death as a colossal loss to the nation and the accounting sector.
Sanwo-Olu in a statement issued on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, said Williams’ record of service as an accountant of repute and a leader of remarkable achievements will remain indelible for generations to come.
He added that the legacies of the accounting guru who died on Monday, at the age of 104 in his house in Lagos cannot be forgotten.
The statement reads, “On behalf of the government and people of Lagos State, we celebrate the departure of a great legend and the doyen of Accounting in Nigeria, Akintola Williams, who contributed his quota to the financial sector and the economy of Nigeria during his lifetime.
“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 grants the financial sector and the deceased family, friends and associates the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
Sanwo-Olu added that during his lifetime, 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, especially in the financial sector.
He 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.
Here are some reactions from Nigerians on social media
@shola_olushola wrote: “Pa Akintola Williams, the doyen of the accounting profession, passes to glory this morning. May Baba find eternal rest.”
@LydiaTeeanaJaja tweeted: “A Full Life. A Completely Satisfied Soul. May the Giant Soul find Peaceful Eternal Rest.”
@OyeBalogun wrote: “First chartered accountant in Nigeria. A great Lions Club member. Pa Akintola Williams passed on at the age of 104. Rest in peace my Great Lion.”
@showdeboy wrote: “Another glorious departure of an ICON. Pa Akintola Williams. The whole accounting professional body will miss you. May the lord forgive his sins and reward his good deed. Amen”
@jubshittu “Rest in Peace Sir Akintola Williams. Your contributions to the accounting profession in Nigeria will be remembered for a good long time.”
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