Obasanjo, Adeosun mourn ICAN ex- president Olutoyin Olakunri

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday paid tribute to late Chief Olutoyin Olakunri describing her as “ever resourceful.”

In a condolence letter addressed to the deceased’s husband, Elder Simeon Moronfolu Olusola, the former President said ‘Toyin has left an indelible mark in her national assignment at the Federal level and various facets of the private sector.”

According to him, the deceased who was a one- time President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) assisted him in realising his “dream as civilian president of Nigeria.”

The condolence letter read: “When I needed to put together a strong team of individuals who understood my vision and mission for the Nigeria project and could help actualize my dream as the civilian president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria between 1999 and 2007, ‘Toyin’s name just couldn’t escape the list of such individuals.

“Through her distinguished public service, as the Chairman of the Education Trust Fund she was a tremendous help to me and I enjoyed every bit of her advice and support.  Her reflections and piercing insights and insistence for truth and accountability could not but inspire anyone close to her.

“‘Toyin also earned the recognition and admiration of many of her compatriots across the length and breadth of Nigeria. She was a dutiful and hardworking fellow and gave her very best to the end in the service of her fatherland,” the letter added.

Obasanjo concluded, “As we mourn the passing of this illustrious daughter of Africa, we must resolve that her great labour of love shall not be in vain.  While I pray that God’s strength, His bountiful blessings and perpetual guidance shall remain upon you and the entire family as you brace up to the reality of the permanence of her absence, I also pray that God will crown her soul with the joy of paradise.”

Also, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, has expressed sadness over the death of Olakunri.

Adeosun described Olakunri, who served for over a decade as Chairman of the Society of Women Accountants in Nigeria (SWAN), as a professional mother and cherished mentor that impacted positively on a generation of women chartered accountants.

The minister stated that the former ICAN President supported women to realise their potentials in the field of accountancy.

She commiserated with the entire Olakunri family and prayed that God would grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

Olakunri according to reports slumped and died during a church service on Sunday morning.

The Chairperson of Society of Women Accountants of Nigeria (SWAN), Folake Onabolu, yesterday said her death came to her as a rude shock as they were together at the investiture of the new president of ICAN, Razak Jaiyeola over the weekend. When SWAN celebrated their 40th anniversary celebration,”she was there as a pillar and our queen mother.”

Born on November 4, 1937, she attended primary school in Nigeria, and completed her secondary and tertiary education in the United Kingdom.

In February 1963, the late Mrs. Olakunri qualified as a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England & Wales; and became a foundation member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria [ICAN] in 1965.

In 1978, she became the Chief Promoter of the Society of Women Accountants in Nigeria (SWAN), which she served as chairman for over a decade.