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By Vera Wisdom-Bassey
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and his Ogun State counterpart, Prince Dapo Abiodun and and the former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, as well as Prelate Oliver Aba of Methodist Church Nigeria joined other prominent Nigerians on Thursday to bid farewell to the Doyen of Accounting, elder statesman, Chief Akintola Williams during a funeral service held at the Muson centre, Onikan.
Speaking at the ceremony, Sanwo-Olu, who described the late Williams as an outstanding Nigerian and a big Lagosian, said: “At 104, how well would you describe a man that God first blessed with a long life and for a very long time, good health, and he had shown leadership at all levels? He was an outstanding Nigerian; a man who took his professional colleagues to enviable level worldwide.
He further remarked that Williams was also a lover of God, a churchgoer, and a man who built the altar of a church. We can only wish the family all the very best.
Coming to the Nation as a Nigeria“ To the country, we have lost an outstanding Nigerian and for us in Lagos, we lost a big Lagosian. We will continue to have memories of the hospitable life that he lived”.
Also speaking, Governor Abiodun said the footprint of the late Akintola Williams will remain indelible on our minds for many years because of what he stood for during his lifetime.
Describing him as “an exceptional Nigerian, a big philanthropist and a lover of music”.
Therefore he said “On behalf of the government and the entire people of Ogun State and my family, we commiserate, congratulate and celebrate with the members of Baba’s Wiilaims immediate family and friends, the government and people of Lagos State, and of course Nigeria at large. We pray that God Almighty will grant the family and well-wishers the heart to bear the colossal loss.”
Prelate Oliver Aba of Methodist Church Nigeria described him as a Philanthropist, a Nation Builder, a Lover of God. He made his contribution in the church whether come rain or sun shine. Such people are hard to get.
In his sermon, the Prelate Emeritus of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr. Sunday Makinde, urged family, friends and associates to immortalise the deceased by supporting the Akintola Williams Centenary Building Project of the Church.
Methodist Church Nigeria “Wesley Cathedral Olowogbowo”, Lagos, conducted the funeral service which was held at Muson centre, Onikan and was attended by former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; founder of Zenith Bank, Mr. Jim Ovia and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, General Ike Nwachukwu (rtd), other dignitaries, who graced the ceremony include: businessman Aliko Dangote, Pst Mrs Ifeanyi Adefarasin, the Archbishop of Lagos, Dr Isaac Ayo Olawuyi, Bishop Steven Adegbite, Lagos State CAN Chairman, Very Revd Sola Kuyebi, Presbyter Wesley Cathedral Olowogbowo, among others.
