Ibori Mourns As Alele-Williams Dies At 89

Professor Grace Alele Williams, first female Nigerian to obtain a doctorate degree and and first female vice-chancellor in Nigeria has died at 89.

Her death was confirmed in a tribute issued by Chief James Ibori a former governor of Delta State who also treasured her as the vice-chancellor at the time he was in the University of Benin.

The circumstances surrounding her death were not immediately available.

Professor Alele Williams was appointed the vice-chancellor of the University of Benin in 1985 at the peak of industrial tensions provoked by the restlessness of the likes of Professor Itse Sagay at the Law Faculty of the University. Her decisiveness in resolving industrial issues led to her being dubbed ‘Mamaginda’ after the military president, General Ibrahim Babangida who appointed her vice-chancellor of the university.

Prof Alele Williams who was schooled in Nigeria and the United States speaking on her appointment as the first female vice-chancellor of a Nigerian university said it was a test case to demonstrate a woman’s executive capability.

Mourning her with a deep sense of personal loss, Ibori 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”.

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,” Ibori said following the news that Alele Williams has died.

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