The Acting Director General of NIEPA Ondo, Dr. David Shofoyeke has congratulated the Vice Chancellor, University of Benin, Prof. Lilian Imuetinyan Salami on the conferment of chieftaincy title on her as the “Yeye Meso of Ondo Kingdom”. The installation of the prestigious chieftaincy title on the former Director General of NIEPA on Saturday 9th March 2024 was initially slated to coincide with the 70th birthday celebration and 17th coronation anniversary of Oba (Dr) Victor Adesimbo Ademefun Kiladejo CFR, JILO III (Osemawe and Paramount Ruler of Ondo Kingdom) last year. Excerpts of the congratulatory letter by Dr. Shofoyeke to the new Yeye Meso made available to newsmen by the Institute’s Media Officer reads,
“On behalf of the Management and Staff of the National Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) Ondo, I heartily send our congratulations and goodwill to our former Director General and now Vice Chancellor University of Benin, Professor Lilian Imuetinyan Salami, on your conferment as the Yeye Meso of Ondo Kingdom.
This momentous honour recognizes your exceptional achievements, remarkable contributions within and beyond your field, and your enduring relationship with the esteemed people of Ondo Kingdom. Your patriotism has benefited and is still benefiting many indigenes of Ondo Kingdom hence the recognition and conferment of Chieftaincy title by His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Victor Kiladejo as the “Beautiful Mother of the Kingdom”.
It is an auspicious time to celebrate your strength, courage and contributions, which confirm you as one of the most ebullient personalities in society who deserves the title given your sterling leadership and the active role you have played in the development of Ondo Kingdom.
Your kind gestures are worthy of emulation and it is our prayer that God who has caused you to excel on all fronts and proffer solutions to problems, will give you the outstanding wisdom to function in your capacity as the Yeye Meso of Ondo Kingdom and continue to better the lives of Ondo Ekimogun and Nigerians at large.
I thank the Osemawe in Council and Paramount Ruler of Ondo Kingdom Oba Dr. Victor Adesimbo Kiladejo, CFR, JILO III for doing the needful by this conferment as the Yeye Meso of the kingdom”.
The conferment which took place at the palace of the Osemawe was graced by High Chiefs and Chiefs of Ondo Kingdom, Management and Staff of University of Benin, Management and Staff of University of Medical Sciences, and dignitaries from all walks of life. Guests were later entertained in an elaborate ceremony at Fade Olu event center in the city center.
