• She died at 89
Former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori and Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi have expressed sadness over the death of Nigeria’s first female Vice Chancellor (VC), Professor Grace Alele-Williams.
Ibori said Alele-Williams was a high-achiever and that she would be greatly missed.
“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,” Ibori stated in a statement released by Tony Eluemunor, his Media Assistant.
Ibori 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,” the statement further quoted Ibori to have said.
Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi, who is representing Delta North Senatorial District and the Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta Commission, NDDC in a statement made available to Page3news.com.ng said “Professor (Mrs) Grace Alele Williams was appointed the Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin just a year to my successful graduation from the University. Her appointment was viewed as a real test case to demonstrate a woman’s executive capacity, and she was an achiever during her tenure (1985-1992).
“She was a woman of integrity and I regret her passing even at ripe the age” Senator Nwaoboshi said as he prayed for the repose of her soul.
