The University of Benin (UNIBEN) on Saturday ordered the flying of the institution’s flag at half-mast to mourn the death of the first female vice-chancellor in Nigeria, Grace Alele-Williams.

Mrs Alele-Williams, who was appointed the vice-chancellor of UNIBEN in 1985 died on Friday in Lagos at the age of 89 years.

The current vice-chancellor, Lillian Salami, described Mrs Alele-Williams as an iconic giant for breaking the glass ceiling for other women to blossom.

Mrs Salami expressed solace in the fact that the late professor was being celebrated rather than mourned, a statement by the institution’s spokesperson, Benedicta Ehanire said.

Mrs Alele-Williams, Nigeria’s first female professor of mathematics education was born on December 16, 1932 in Delta to an Itsekiri mother and Owan father from Sobe, Edo. 

(NAN)