‘We Have Lost An Amazon’ – Obaseki Mourns Late UNIBEN ex-VC, Prof. Alele-Williams

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has mourned the passing of renowned mathematician and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Prof. Grace Alele-Williams.

In a statement sent to Naija News on Saturday, the governor described Prof. Alele-Williams as an Amazon, who tread where others dreaded.

Obaseki hailed the late Professor of Mathematics for 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.”

The governor said Alele-Williams was a thoroughbred academician who throughout her life left an indelible mark of dutiful service, hard work, diligence and determination.

Obaseki said, “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 advancement of women in uncharted territories.”

The governor commiserated with the Alele-Williams family, praying that God will grant all the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Naija News reports that Alele-Williams died on Friday at an undisclosed hospital in Lagos State.