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Gov. Godwin Obaseki Of Edo on Saturday mourned the passing of renowned mathematician and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Grace Alele-Williams.
Prof. Alele-Williams died on Friday in Lagos at the age of 89 years.
The late Professor of Mathematics was appointed the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin in 1985.
In a statement issued in Benin, Gov. Obaseki described Prof. Alele-Williams as an Amazon, who trod where others dreaded.
Obaseki also hailed her unmatched devotion to national development.
“It is with a heavy heart that I received the sad news of the passing of renowned academic and administrator, Prof. Grace Alele-Williams.
“As the first female Nigerian to earn a doctorate degree in mathematics, Prof. Alele-Williams was a woman of many firsts. She shattered the glass ceiling and didn’t look back thereafter.
“As the first-ever female vice-chancellor of a Nigerian university, she shone brightly as a fearless administrator and restored sanity to the institution of higher learning in a period of social upheaval.
“Prof. Alele-Williams will be remembered for her insight, dedication to duty and courage as well as her commitment to breaking barriers limiting the advancement of women in uncharted territories,’’ the governor stated.
Obaseki noted that Prof. Alele-Williams was a thoroughbred academician who throughout her life left an indelible mark of dutiful service, hard work, diligence and determination.
The governor commiserated with the Alele-Williams family, praying that God will grant all the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
UNIBEN flies flag at half-mast to mourn Alele-Williams
Meanwhile, the University of Benin (UNIBEN) on Saturday ordered the flying of the institution’s flag at half-mast to mourn the death of the first female vice-chancellor in Nigeria, Prof. Grace Alele-Williams.
Alele-Williams, who was appointed vice-chancellor of the University of Benin in 1985 died on Friday in Lagos at the age of 89 years.
In a statement issued by the University of Benin’s spokesperson, Dr Benedicta Ehanire, she said Prof. Lilian Salami, current vice-chancellor of the institution on behalf of the university community mourned the passing of her predecessor.
Salami, the second female vice-chancellor in the institution after Alele-Williams, described the late former and first female vice-chancellor as an iconic giant for breaking the glass ceiling for other women to blossom.
She expressed solace in the fact that the late professor was being celebrated rather than mourned.
“The Vice-Chancellor, University of Benin, Prof. Lilian Salami, on behalf of the Governing Council, Management, Staff, Alumni and Students, mourns the passing of her predecessor, Prof. Grace Alele- Williams.
“Prof. Salami described the late former and first female vice-chancellor of the University of Benin as an iconic giant who broke the glass ceiling for other women to blossom,’’ Dr Ehanire stated.
Prof. Alele-Williams, Nigeria’s first female professor of Mathematics Education was born on Dec. 16, 1932 in Delta to an Itsekiri mother and Owan father from Sobe, Edo.