Obaseki Mourns Passing Of Renowned Mathematician, UNIBEN Ex-VC, Prof. Alele-Williams

By Daniel Dafe

Godwin Obaseki
Governor, Edo State, has mourned the passing of renowned academic and administrator, Prof. Grace Alele-Williams.

Grace Alele-Williams died at 89.

In a statement on Saturday, Obaseki, said he received the shocking news of her demise, adding.that “Prof. Alele-Williams was a thoroughbred academician who throughout her life left an indelible mark of dutiful service, hard work, diligence and determination.”

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He said: “She was an Amazon, who tread where others dreaded. Her devotion to national development is unmatched.

“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.”

According to the statement, “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.”

While commiserating with the Alele-Williams family, he prayed that God will grant all the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.