26th March, 2022
By Jethro Ibileke
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has described the renowned mathematician and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Prof. Grace Alele-Williams, as an Amazon who trod where others dreaded.
Obaseki. in a statement, said Alele-Williams was a thoroughbred academician, who throughout her life left an indelible mark of dutiful service, hard work, diligence and determination.
He hailed “her unmatched devotion to national development.”
According to him, “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.
“When she became the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) – at the time the first-ever female Vice-Chancellor of a Nigerian university – she shone brightly as a fearless administrator and restored sanity to the higher institution during 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 who commiserated with the Alele-Williams’ family, prayed that God will grant all the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.