Okowa, other Deltans mourn Grace Alele-Williams
By Dave Okpogadie, Asaba
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state has condoled with the family of renowned mathematician and first female Vice-Chancellor of a Nigerian university, Prof. Grace Alele-Williams, over the passing of the scholar and administrator.
Alele-Williams passed on Friday in Lagos at 89.
In a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Olisa Ifeajika, Okowa said that late Alele-Williams was a great role model to the female gender whom she inspired with her brilliance and diligence.
The Governor joined family members, the academia and the Itsekiri nation in mourning the renowned scholar who, in 1963, earned a doctoral degree and became the first Nigerian female to attain such academic height.
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I condole with the deceased’s family, the academia and the Itsekiri nation and all Deltans on the passing of the renowned mathematician and scholar, Professor Grace Alele-Williams.
“We received the news of her passing with shock, but thank God that she lived a life of great impact.
“She was a great role model and worked assiduously to stamp out cultism at the University of Benin where she was Vice-Chancellor,” he said.
Okowa noted that the late scholar’s drive and love for knowledge earned her many recognitions and awards in Nigeria and across the globe.
“Prof. Alele-Williams was an illustrious daughter of the state, and only recently, we honoured her and other illustrious Deltans during the state’s 30th anniversary celebration.
“She would be greatly missed by those whose lives she impacted and inspired in very many ways,” the governor stated.
He prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed professor, and for God to comfort her family.
Also, a gubernatorial aspirant in the state and a former Commissioner, Olorogun David Edevbie expressed sadness and grief at the passing of Professor Grace Alele-Williams who he described as an amazon, a mother and universal role model.
“As the first Nigerian female to bag a doctorate degree in Mathematics and also first female to be appointed Vice Chancellor, Professor Grace Alele-Williams represented the best in us and the huge potentials of our women to contribute to the development of humanity and we, as Bendelites, Deltans and Warri people will remain extremely proud of her.
Former Minister of State for Education and a governorship aspirant in Delta State, Olorogun Barrister Kenneth Gbagi, also expressed shock over the death of Professor Grace Allele-Wiliams.
In a statement he personally signed on Saturday March 26th 2022, Gbagi condoled with the family of the first Nigeria female university VC, who was celebrated as a role model when she was appointed VC of University of Benin, Edo State.
“I received with shock the news of the passing of the first ever female university Vice Chancellor in Nigeria, Professor Grace Allele-Wiliams, who passed on in Lagos.”
He said the late Professor was known to be a very peaceful and empathic person, who sympathised with those that suffered misfortune, gave encouragement to those in despair and shared whatever she had with those in need within her community.
“As mortals, it is difficult to come to terms with the loss of such a kind-hearted, deeply pious and beneficent matriarch, who in spite of her age, was still full of life and a veritable bastion of support for her children, the entire community, Nigeria, particularly the education sector.
“She may not have lived to the fullness of our desires for her life, yet she lived a fulfilled life of service to humanity through her numerous community engagements, nurtured her children to greatness and had a good relationship with God.
“On behalf of my family, I offer our sincere condolences at this most challenging time while praying that she finds eternal rest in heaven.”
He prayed that God send forth His grace upon her children and extended family that she left behind.
