Buhari hails Akintola Williams at 103, mourns veteran journalist, Chiahemen

• President appoints Lawal Special Adviser Policy, Coordination

President Muhammadu Buhari has rejoiced with the nation’s doyen of accounting, Chief Akintola Williams, as he marked his 103rd birthday anniversary, Tuesday.

In a statement by Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, yesterday, Buhari joined the family and friends of the renowned accountant to appreciate God for long life, strength and impact, particularly in service to the country.

He also felicitated with Williams for scoring many firsts, being the first Nigerian to qualify as a chartered accountant in England in 1949, and starting the first indigenous chartered accounting firm in Africa in 1952.

Also, Buhari expressed sadness over the death of a former Reuters Bureau Chief for Nigeria, John Chiahemen.

A statement by his spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, recalled that as a veteran newsman with the reputable international news agency and Editor of Reuters Africa, Chiahemen was respected for his brilliant contributions and editorial role in covering news about Africa from a business and development perspective, beyond the narrow stereotypes of disaster and poverty.

IN another development, the President appointed former Permanent Secretary, Ecological Project Office (EPO), Dr. Habiba Muda Lawal, as Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination.

Before retirement, Lawal had supervised a team that ensured management, identification, planning and execution of projects to mitigate ecological challenges across the country.