Foremost accountant Akintola Williams on Tuesday clocked 103 and was surrounded by family and close friends.
The centenarian cut his cake in a video which has since gone viral.
Williams was born on August 9, 1919, exactly a day after the then Governor-General of Nigeria, Lord Frederick Lugard, stepped aside and handed over power to Sir Hugh Clifford who went on to administer the young country for six years.
Williams was Africa’s first chartered accountant and first president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
Established in 1952, his firm, Akintola Williams & Co., is the first indigenous chartered accounting firm in Nigeria. It had notable clients such as the defunct West African Pilot newspaper owned by the late President Nnamdi Azikiwe.
His younger brother, Rotimi Williams, was also the first Nigerian to be decorated with the title, ‘Senior Advocate of Nigeria;’ and he also set up the first indigenous Nigerian law firm in 1948 with Chief Remilekun Fani-Kayode and Chief Bode Thomas.
The law firm was called Thomas, Williams and Kayode.
ICAN has joined a host of others to celebrate Williams on the occasion of his 103rd birthday.
Presidential candidate Peter Obi said in a statement that he was “honoured” to join others in celebrating Williams.
“For many decades, he was a seasoned administrator, successful entrepreneur, experienced corporate leader and a dedicated public servant whose enormous contributions to the economic development of Nigeria will be celebrated for years to come.
“Chief Williams touched, transformed and contributed immensely to the growth and development of the accounting and financial services sector in Nigeria and Africa,” Mr Obi said.
