The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has expressed shock over the demise of one of its Management Staff, Mrs. Lillian Las who was involved in the unfortunate Dana plane crash of Sunday, 3rd June, 2012 at the Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos.
Until her untimely death, Mrs. Las was a Senior Manager at the ICAN Abuja Liaison office of the Institute. On the fateful day, she was on her way to Lagos for a meeting which was to hold Monday morning. Since the confirmation of her demise, the Institute has worn a mournful look with all the staff expressing astonishment over the incident.
The 48th President of the Institute, Mr. Doyin Owolabi could not control his emotion on hearing the bad news of Lillian’s death in the crash. He lamented the cruel fate that befell the gentle and hardworking lady.
Said he, “It is indeed painful: I still remember her usual smiles as she attended to official duties without complaining. I remember her broad smiles of congratulations at my investiture on Wednesday. Oh death, where is your sting? It always hits us in the most unexpected way, but because we are children of the living God, it has no dominion over us. It is a debt to be paid by all, but as humans, we pray for old age. Lillian was a child of God, so she’s not dead, but rests with the Lord, where we shall all meet to part no more. May God continue to shine His Light on her gentle soul and the souls of all the other departed faithful.”
Reacting to the news, a Council member of the Institute, Mrs Ngozi Monica Okonkwo described Lilian as an amiable human being one could not resist. She said nobody would have imagined she would go so soon as she was full of life few days ago when she came to Lagos for the investiture ceremony of the 48th ICAN President. “Our dear Lilian was full of life at the investiture of our 48th President on Wednesday, 30th May, 2012. Lillian was very amiable, unassuming, ever-cheerful. She was a dear friend. May her soul rest in perfect peace,” she stated.
The Deputy Registrar (Technical) of the Institute, Mr. Abel Asein did not only lament Lillian Las’ untimely passage but also described the accident that killed her as avoidable. He said: “This ”flight unto death” is sad, painful, yet avoidable. The Senior Manager, Abuja Liaison Office of ICAN, Mrs. Lillian Las, was on board the flight to attend the Institute’s monthly management meeting scheduled for the following morning in Lagos. Oh, we lost a gem and the face of ICAN in Abuja. What eulogy can I write on a dedicated colleague who died on active service? With pains in my heart, I say, you did not deserve to die a violent, painful death. You were harmless, easy going and always full of smiles, even in challenging times. You were always willing, at short notice, to take correspondences to various government departments with impressive feedback. Oh, I say Lillian, soldier of Christ, we cannot mourn you enough. Please, rest in peace in your new abode with the saints”.
He condemned how disastrous situations are handled in the country and prayed for God’s intervention in Nigeria’s affairs.
