EXCITING NEWS: TNG WhatsApp Channel is LIVE…
Subscribe for FREE to get LIVE NEWS UPDATE. Click here to subscribe!
Mr Igho Dafinone, one of the sons of the late renowned accountant, Sen. David Dafinone has described his father as a caring man who impacted greatly on his children.
Igho gave the description at the Service of Songs and Night of Tributes for their late father on Thursday in Lagos.
Dafinone, a second republic senator and a one-time Director at the Central Bank, died on Sept. 30 at 91.
The late accountant put the country on the global map at a time when he made the Guinness Book of Records as having a family with the highest number of accountants in the world.
Five of his six children, Igho, Ede, Duvie, Joy and Daphne qualified as the chartered accountant in the United Kingdom and are part of the success story of Howarth Dafinone, a foremost accounting firm their father founded.
Igho said the late Dafinone interacted with his children closely and inspired them to achieve their life goals.
He added that his father produced the highest number of accountants in a family by encouraging his children to take to his profession not that he compelled them.
Igho said though, their late father was busy doing so many things, he devoted so much time to his children and impacted in them, the discipline that helped them become the accomplished adults they were today.
“I watched him combine so many roles of accountancy, businessman, adviser, traditional chief and politician, yet he always, throughout his life, had time for mum and all of us.
“When we were younger, he had time for us through our annual vacation.
“He had the time on a daily basis to interact with us at dinner times and the weekends,” he said.
Also speaking, Joy, one of Dafinone’s daughters described the late politician as more than a father.
She said he was a disciplinarian, who always ensured his children did the right thing and that he was always supportive of their aspirations.
“Dad was an extraordinary man from humble beginnings who excelled in life but never forgot his roots.
“He was a true statesman who embodied all that is good in Nigeria,’’ she said.
Also paying tributes, a past president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Mr Emmanuel Ijewere, said late Dafinone contributed greatly to the accounting profession in the country.
Ijewere added that ICAN had benefitted immensely from Dafinone’s wealth of experience as he was among Nigeria’s first generation of accountants.
“He was an accomplished accountant, who did a lot not only for the profession but for ICAN; we are going to miss him a lot,’’ he said.
Mr Henry Agbamu, a friend of late Dafinone, described him as an honest man and a thorough professional.
He said the late accountant did a lot to mentor and touch the lives of people around him.
In his sermon, Dr Humphrey Olumakaiye, Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos Anglican Communion, urged Christians to reconnect their lives with God.
He said a man would be judged by God, according to his dedication to Him and the impact he made on the lives of others.
“You see everyone is paying tributes to Dafinone because of the life he led.
“We should all ask ourselves what we want to be remembered for when we are gone.
“It is never too late to rededicate our lives to God and make an impact on people around us. God requires these from us,’’ he said.
Prayers were offered for the repose of the deceased’s soul, his widow, Cynthia, other family members and the country.
A former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Henry Ajumogobia, a former President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr Goodie Ibru, were among dignitaries who attended the programme.