Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has described the deceased renowned mathematician and former vice chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Prof. Grace Alele-Williams as an Amazon, who treaded where others dreaded.
In a statement in Benin, Governor Obaseki hailed the unmatched devotion of Prof. Alele-Williams, who died on Friday at the age of 89, to national development.
He eulogized Prof. Alele-Williams as a thoroughbred academician who throughout her life left an indelible mark of dutiful service, hard work, diligence and determination.
He mourned: “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, Governor Obaseki noted that Prof. Alele-Williams was a woman of many firsts who shattered the glass ceiling and didn’t look back thereafter.
Governor Obaseki recalled: “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 advancement of women in uncharted territories.”
Also, the vice chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Lilian Salami weekend in Benin mourned the passing of the renowned mathematician.
Prof. Lilian Salami described her late predecessor and first female vice chancellor of the institution as an iconic giant who broke the glass ceiling for other women to blossom.
In a statement on Saturday in Benin City by the public relations officer, Dr. Benedicta Ehanire, Prof. Salami noted that she was consoled that the late erudite scholar is being celebrated rather than mourned.
The vice chancellor said that the entire university community including the governing council, management, staff, alumni and students were distressed by the passing, adding that a condolence register in honour of Prof. Alele-Williams will be opened at the vice chancellor’s office while the institution’s flag will fly at half mast.
While praying God to rest the soul of the former vice chancellor peacefully and comfort her loved ones, Prof. Salami disclosed that she spoke with her daughter, Mrs. Orode Doherty, to comisserate with the family over the death of the mathematician.
