The first female Vice Chancellor in Nigeria, Professor Grace Alele-Williams is dead.
She died on Friday at the age of 89 years.
Although news about her demise was still sketchy as of press time Friday evening, her death was posted on a WhatsApp group having prominent Itsekiris as members.
“The education icon and great Mathematician, Prof. Grace Alele Williams, has gone to be with the Lord. May her soul rest in peace,” a post by one Femi Uwawah, read.
Former Delta State governor, Chief Ibori, mourned her passing, saying she influenced him while he (Ibori) was an undergraduate.
Ibori in a statement issued yesterday by his Media Assistant, Tony Eluemunor, said: “Alele -Williams’ life imparted greatly on mine as she was the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin while I was a student there.
“I remember her as an outstanding woman of integrity and one of those who showed my feet the way to follow.”
The former governor sent his condolences to the Itsekiri nation and Delta state, whose histories Alele-Williams decorated with her trail-blazing life; as the first Nigerian woman to earn a PhD in Mathematics and the first female Vice-Chancellor of a Nigerian University.
“I regret her passing even as I thank God for the pace-setting life she lived as a high -achiever”, he said.
