SANWO – OLU MOURNS AKINTOLA WILLIAMS, SAYS HIS LEGACIES CAN’T BE FORGOTTEN

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo – Olu, has mourned the passage of the First Indigenous Chartered accountant and elder statesman, Akintola Williams, and described his death as a colossal loss. The Governor said the legacies of Akintola Williams, who died on Monday can not be forgotten. Governor Sanwo – Olu in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary Gboyega Akosile, said Akintola Williams record of service as an accountant of repute and a leader of a remarkable achievements will remain indelible for generations to come. He said the doyen of accounting in Nigeria, who founded the first Indigenous accounting firm in Africa, Akintola Williams @ Co in 1952 in Lagos, has brought many honours and pride to Nigeria and Africa particularly in the financial sector during his lifetime. Governor Sanwo – Olu also hailed the late Centenarian for pioneering and pacesetting role in the formation of many institutions in Nigeria, such as the Nigeria Stock Exchange and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN ). The late Akintola Williams was born in 1919, he studied accounting at the University of London and qualified as a Chartered accountant in 1947. He returned to Nigeria and later set up his accounting firm Akintola Williams @, Co; now Deloitte and Touche in 1952. Williams was also a strong advocate for developing accounting profession in Nigeria. He was a founding member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN ) and was president from 1963 to 1965. He was also a member of the Board of the National Accountants and Auditors. Williams received many awards and honours including the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR ) and the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM ) . He was also a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.