Continued from yesterday

The 1996 exercise revealed that there would be a succession vacancy for the top position on the Board. A decision was taken then to fill the position and a name was inserted in the box.

Come early 1999, some eligible persons with their ears down to the corporate turf, became aware that the Chairman of the Board would retire at the next (1999) Annual General meeting, and so some persons approached Pa Akintola Williams to put in word on their behalf. In fact, one or two persons went as far as telling Pa Williams that I was not ‘cooperating’.

Again, the sense of fairness of Pa Williams kicked in and he sent for me, to know the facts and hear my side of the story. I then explained to him that during the (Nestle 1996 Succession Planning exercise, I had been offered, and I had accepted in writing, the position of Non- Executive Chairman of the Board, and all that is left is to implement the decision at the 1999 Annual General Meeting.

In short, there is no vacancy. Mr. Williams was absolutely delighted to hear that I would become the Chairman, after 27 years of executive services (of which eleven years- 1988 to 1999) was as the MD/CEO. Armed with full information, Pa Williams, unwittingly but with delight, became my ‘defender’ warding off the aspirants.
Nestle International Headquarters is based in Vevey, Switzerland, a village of 20,000 inhabitants situated on the serene shores of Lake Geneva.

Vevey hosts a Wine Festival once every 20 to 25 years. Founded in 1797, the Festival was initiated by the Confrerie des vignerons (or Brotherhood of Winegrowers) to promote the region’s wine harvest, one of the area’s largest industries.

The Festival has evolved from a one- day feast into an all -out extravaganza with tastings, live music, parades, costume parties, wine education, and cellar tours. Vevey welcomes around 400,000 persons from all over the world for the Fete des Vignerons, one of the world’s largest, if most infrequent, wine festivals.

Nestle’s impact on the socio- economic activities in Vevey is immense as a “big” company in a small village. Before 1999, the last festival was held in 1977. I was then five years in Nestle service as the the CFO/ Finance Director in Nestle Nigeria.

I attended the 1977 festival having been invited as an overseas Senior Executive, part of the Nestle acculturation process, I suppose! In early 1999, I received a letter of invitation to attend the 1999 edition of the Fete des Vignerons. This second invitation was a gesture of appreciation, I presumed, because I was then transiting from being MD/ CEO of Nestle Nigeria (capping 27 years of Executive services) into becoming (Non- executive) Chairman of the Board which I would go on to hold for a further 14 years to 2013.

The 1999 invitation also asked me to nominate ‘an eminent citizen of your country we would invite to the Festival as Nestle’s guest’. I quickly replied, requesting that eminent person be changed to eminent couple. My request was granted and I then informed Mr. Akintola and Mrs Oye Williams to expect an invitation from Nestle Switzerland, all expenses paid, as Nestle’s guests to the Fete des Vignerons.

Mr. and Mrs Akintola Williams, my wife and I, were lodged at one of the finest Swiss hotels overlooking Lake Geneva. Limousine transport was laid on, with punctual, refined chauffeurs, to take us to the various events. The Festival was as expected, memorable. Mr. and Mrs Williams thoroughly enjoyed the various events lined up for the Festival. My wife and I were very glad to ‘host’ Mr. and Mrs Akintola Williams in Switzerland. Indeed, that was the week that was (TW 3 – episode 1) and it served as a prelude to the 80th birthday celebrations of Mr. Williams later in August, 1999.

Then came the day of our departure and a little drama ensued. We packed our suitcases. When we were ready to go, Mr. Williams came and lifted my (heavy) suitcase to take down the stairs to the waiting car- I sprang to my feet and with Mr. Williams resisting and saying “you are my guest” and I replying “yes, Sir, but ewo (taboo!)” I wrested the suitcase from him. This is a lesson in humility amply demonstrated by Mr. Williams and this act resonates with me. Reflecting on this, long after the event, I remember a preceding event narrated in the Bible which ended with the passage “Go and do likewise” “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. (John 13: 15) Mr. Akintola Williams and Mrs Oye Williams ‘spoilt us a little’, and indeed, that was the week that was (TW 3 episode2) and served as a prelude to my 60th birthday anniversary celebrations.
Whenever there was occasion for Pa Williams to have a chat with me, it is normal that he would phone saying “I would like to come and see you,” and I always would interject and saying “no Sir, just say where and when and I would come”. However, on one occasion I had to allow him to come. It had to do with matters of Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON), a project very dear to the heart of Pa Akintola Williams.

On this certain day, he phoned that he would be coming with Ambassador Ade Martins, who was the Chairman of the Planning Committee, and Chief Ayo Rosiji- a member of the Committee. Talk of receiving august visitors, in my office, for that matter!

Pa William’s life of service to the nation and the impact he made, of which MUSON is just one example, are many. I can certainly point to the Accountancy profession (formation and a foundation member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria ICAN). He was the Doyen of Accountancy Profession in Nigeria, he was one of the seven signatories and perhaps the last surviving signatory) to the Memorandum and Articles of the Association of The Nigerian Stock Exchange (Successor in title to the Lagos Stock Exchange), which heralded the development of the capital market in Nigeria.

He was a foundation member and the founding Treasurer of the Lion’s Club, an International Club involved in many charity and health care projects. The list is long, the above are just examples.

At the retirement of Mr. Williams in 1983, many distinguished personalities eulogised him. Two of the speeches would suffice, to show the high esteem he enjoyed. I would just quote from pages 74 and 75 from the book titled “Akintola Williams- A life of Integrity & Distinction” by Obinna J. Osuji.

First, Chief Charles.S. Sankey, of blessed memory, the first partner admitted in 1957 to partnership of the firm Akintola Williams & Co. said about Mr. Akintola Williams. “All that I need to say now is that he is indeed a very great man in every respect. As an Accountant he has represented his profession with all dignity and honour”

Similarly, Mr. Russ Palmer, the then Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Touche Ross International had this to say, about Mr. Akintola Williams:  “I take great pride and I am ever honoured to know him as a person. Personally, he is of the highest attributes, and in any case, I have seen he has always used impeccable judgement.

Professionally, it is very evident how he is known in this country and in this part of the world. But perhaps some of you do not know that he has a world- wide reputation and, in our profession, you cannot go anywhere in the world and mention his name and professionals do not know who he is, and have a high regard for him. It is evident what he has done for his community and his country as well, and we all respect him very much for that”.

My wife, Abosede Osunkeye, and I commiserate with the family Pa Akintola Williams left behind, especially Tokunbo and Seni. No matter how long one lives, nobody likes to lose a dear one, but then for Tokunbo and Seni, congratulations is in order for surviving your aged father. Sweet is the memory of the righteous.

The Bible says in Psalm 91: 16 “with long life I will satisfy him, and show him my salvation”. Pa Akintola Williams lived a long life of integrity, honour, service and impact. He has passed on to join the saints triumphant. May the soul of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in perfect peace. Amen
Concluded

Chief Osunkeye, former Chairman of Nestle Nigeria plc wrote from Ikeja, Lagos State.