Nigeria’s first female science graduate, Lady Deborah Jibowu, is dead. She was aged 95 years.
The Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, confirmed this in a statement on Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary, Olayinka Oyebode.
According to him, Lady Jibowu was reputed for being the first Nigerian female science graduate, having graduated from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom in 1947.
She was also a recipient of the Member of the British Empire (MBE) honour in 1962 and Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) in 1965.
Late Deborah Jibowu was also a member of the Local Government Service Commission, Western Region (1959-1971), a commissioner at the National Population Commission (NPC) (1981-1983), and pro-chancellor and chairman of the council at the University of Calabar (1993-1997).
In the statement, Governor Fayemi commiserated with members of her immediate family and the Fasanmade family of Ido-Ile Ekiti on the passing of their matriarch.
He described Lady Jibowu as an illustrious daughter of the Land of Honour and a patriot who served her fatherland diligently and made Ekiti proud through numerous achievements.
The governor said the late nonagenarian, as a frontline educationist, seasoned administrator, and impactful community leader, lived a life of service to God and humanity.
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He noted that as National Commissioner, Girl Guides (1960-1980), and later Chief Commissioner (1991-1997), the deceased invested her time and resources in molding the lives of many young females across the country.