Buhari celebrates with Akintola Williams, a 103-year-old accounting legend

Ibekimi Oriamaja reports

On August 9, 2022, Chief Akintola Williams, the nation’s dean of accounting, celebrated his 103rd birthday. President Muhammadu Buhari joined in the celebration.

In a statement released yesterday by his media adviser, Femi Adesina, the president thanked God for the blessing of the well-known accountant’s long life, strength, and impact, especially in service to the nation, and joined family and friends in celebrating his birthday.

Buhari congratulated Chief Williams on his numerous firsts that attracted attention to Nigeria and Africa, including becoming the first Nigerian to earn a chartered accountant designation in England in 1949 and founding the continent’s first indigenous chartered accounting business in 1952.

The president listed the chartered accountant’s other notable accomplishments, including founding the Association of Accountants in Nigeria in 1960 with the intention of training accountants, serving as the institute’s first president, and actively participating in the creation of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

The appointment of Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 1997 was one of several honors and distinctions that President Buhari mentioned.

“Continues to celebrate with the chartered accountant,” the president said. “Prays for his well-being.”

In a related incident, Buhari has expressed sorrow over the passing of John Chiahemen, a former Reuters bureau chief for Nigeria, and has sent his condolences to his family, friends, and coworkers as well as to all of the people in the several media outlets where he worked.

The president recalled in a statement released yesterday by his spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, that Chiahemen was respected for his outstanding contributions and editorial role of covering international news as a seasoned journalist with the reputable international news agency and Editor of Reuters Africa.

news about Africa that goes beyond the clichés of tragedy and poverty and focuses on commerce and growth.

He expressed hope that the outstanding contributions made by one of Nigeria’s most distinguished journalists will continue to motivate present and future members of the realm’s fourth estate.

Therefore, Buhari prayed for the deceased’s soul to rest in peace and for those in mourning to find solace.