By Chukwuma Umeorah
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has paid tribute to one of its revered past presidents, late Dr. Ike Nwokolo, hailing his legacy of integrity, visionary leadership, and outstanding contributions to the accountancy profession.
Speaking during a special valedictory council session held in his honour on Monday at the ICAN Council Chambers, the Diamond President of the Institute, Davidson Alaribe, described Nwokolo who served as ICAN President from 1998 to 1999 as a man whose impact remains etched in the annals of the Institute’s history.
Alaribe noted that under the stewardship of the late Nwokolo, ICAN witnessed significant institutional milestones that continue to define its relevance today. “He revised and re-launched the Institute’s Code of Ethics, reinforcing the profession’s commitment to integrity and accountability. He also presented the Members’ Handbook—a comprehensive resource that brought together the ICAN Act, professional standards, the Code of Conduct, and exposure drafts—thereby aligning the Institute’s operations with international best practices,” he said.
Alaribe further stated that Nwokolo was instrumental in completing and commissioning the Abuja office complex, now known as Akintola Williams House, which has become a symbol of ICAN’s national presence.
“During this same tenure, he also served as President of the Association of Accountancy Bodies in West Africa (ABWA), reflecting his deep commitment to strengthening the profession beyond national borders. Outside our halls, Sir Nwokolo continued his trail of service and even after his tenure as President, he remained a guiding light, later chairing the Body of Past Presidents (BOPP) from 2022 to 2024, where his wisdom, patience, and quiet firmness helped guide the Institute through times of change.
“Sir Ike Nwokolo showed us that dignity is not in titles, but in the way we carry responsibility. He did not just live for over eight decades, he gave each year purpose, each role substance, and each encounter grace. He embodied what ICAN stands for — integrity, excellence, service, and legacy. To his beloved family, we say, you shared him with a nation, and we are grateful. To the accountancy profession, we say, we are better because he lived. To Nigeria, we say, a patriot has passed, but his principles live on,” he added.
The Chairman of the Body of Past Presidents of ICAN, Herbert Agbebiyi, also paying tribute, said the late Nwokolo left an indelible legacy that will endure for generations. “He believed strongly in law and order and consistently preached that experience is essential for progress.”
Several other stakeholders in the accounting profession who attended the session also paid heartfelt tributes, describing the late Nwokolo as a towering figure whose life’s work profoundly shaped the Institute. They affirmed that his name is firmly etched in gold, symbolizing a legacy that will inspire generations of accountants to come.