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The burial, on Thursday, October 19, of foremost accountant, Akintola Williams, drew the curtains on an eventful life of an accomplished statesman who put in all he had for the betterment of his country and profession. Williams died on Monday, September 11, at a ripe age of 104 years.
In a befitting tribute at his funeral service, Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described the late Williams as an outstanding Nigerian and a big Lagosian. Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun equally remarked that the footprints of the late accountant will remain on the sand of time for many years because of what he stood for during his lifetime.
The President, Bola Tinubu, had earlier in his eulogy, observed that Williams epitomised integrity, resilience and resourcefulness. This, he said, was amply demonstrated when he established the first accounting firm, Akintola Williams & Co. in 1952, which inspired self-confidence in a generation of professionals who would make further impact in strengthening transparency and competence in the accounting profession.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, had in a similar vein, poured encomiums on the departed patriot, noting that; “It is indisputable that no Nigerian has impacted the accounting profession as the late sage, for his achievements are firmly entrenched on the sands of history and would remain indelible in the history of our country.”
He added that Nigeria has, indeed, lost an icon, an institution and father of accountancy who stood for truth and honesty and proclaimed the principle of accuracy and integrity with passion.
The late accountant represented many positive things to many Nigerians but all were agreed that he led a life defined by self-discipline, moderation and commitment to improvement of mankind and the environment through hard work.
Born on August 9, 1919, in Lagos to Thomas Ekundayo Williams, a lawyer, Akintola Williams was the second of five brothers. His siblings were Pa Bankole Williams, Chief Rotimi Williams, Ambassador Soji Williams, and Kehinde Williams. Akintola Williams was married to Mabel Etuntiloye Coker (deceased) and their union was blessed with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
He began his formal education at Baptist Academy, Lagos, in 1927. After completing his secondary school education at CMS Grammar School in 1938, he proceeded to Yaba Higher College on a United African Company (UAC) scholarship where he pursued a diploma in commerce from 1939 to 1941. In 1944, he travelled to England where he studied Banking and Finance at the University of London and graduated in 1946. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1949 and returned to Nigeria in 1950 to begin his career as the nation’s first indigenous chartered accountant.
In 1952, Williams founded what turned out the oldest indigenous accountancy firm in the country, Akintola Williams & Co. He nurtured the firm to become the largest professional services provider in Nigeria. Williams played a significant role in the founding of the Nigerian Stock Exchange as well as the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), a premium institute that accords certification to those wishing to make a profession in accounting.
Though not cut for electoral politics, Williams was one of the founders of the Egbe Omo Oduduwa society, a Yoruba cultural club that later metamorphosed into a political party, the Action Group (AG) that dominated the Western Regional politics in the First Republic.
He served in many public sector positions including as Chairman of the Federal Income Tax Appeal Commissioners, member of the Coker Commission of Inquiry into the Statutory Corporations of the former Western Region of Nigeria, member of the Board of Trustees of the Commonwealth Foundation, Chairman of the Lagos State Government Revenue Collection Panel and Chairman of the Public Service Review Panel to correct the perceived anomalies in the Udoji Salary Review Commission.
For his numerous contributions to nation building, in 1982, Williams was honoured with the award of the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).
Between April 1999 and May 2004, his firm, Akintola Williams & Co. merged with two other accounting firms to create Akintola Williams Deloitte (now known as Deloitte & Touche), the largest professional services firm in Nigeria with a staff of over 600.
His dedication to the growth and development of accounting profession in the country earned him the reference of a doyen. The streams of tributes that trailed his exit underscored the man that he was. He was a role model who left a legacy for many.
We sympathise with the family of the late accountant over his demise, while urging the government to immortalise his name with a befitting monument.
