Businessman and founder of Zenith Bank Jim Ovia on Wednesday attended the wake for Nigeria’s first indigenous chartered accountant, Akintola Williams.
The event took place at the Muson Centre, Lagos.
The Muson Choir and Orchestra, led by its leader Emeka Nwokedi opened the event.
Williams died at the age of 104 on September 11.
On August 9, Williams celebrated his 104th birthday.
Born in 1919, he pioneered Nigeria’s accounting profession and was instrumental in developing the country’s financial sector.
Foremost accountant Akintola Williams dies at 104
Family, friends celebrate foremost accountant Akintola Williams at 103
Williams 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 & Touche, in 1952.
Williams was also a strong advocate for developing the 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 National Board of Accountants and Auditors.
The deceased 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.
