Lilian Salami, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, reportedly broke protocol at the palace of the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare 11, N’Ogidigan, last Tuesday. Insiders said that she had been at the palace to join in the annual Igue-Ewere(Ugie) cultural festival.
According to information reaching our news desk, all was going on smoothly until the Vice Chancellor who led the management of the institution to pay homage to the Benin monarch knelt down, raised up her hands over her shoulders and tilted the upper part of her body as she rubbed her two palms together in obeisance before the King.
The whole scenario was so shocking to the gathering considering that Lilian Salami is a daughter of Professor Emmanuel Emovon, a respected palace chief, and was expected to be very knowledgeable in such issues.
She was immediately reprimanded for missing the point completely while His Royal Majesty who was adorned in a complete ceremonial regalia and a dark pair of glasses, held his sceptre with his left hand without making any comment.
However, some of his chiefs, frowned at the very ‘disrespectful’ exchange between Salami and the Benin throne as other guests and the palace functionaries who were present at the event marvelled at her behaviour.
The palace however sent an emissary (Ukoh) to Prof. Salami, to bear full responsibility for her action to the amusement of other guests before the end of the session.
Lilian Imuetinya Salami, Professor of Home Economics and Nutritional Education, is a member of the advisory council to the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare11.
She assumed office as Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin on December 2, 2019, succeeding Professor Faraday Osasere Orumwense.
