BY LAWRENCE ETIM

Last Wednesday was the day Former President Olusegun Obasanjo marked  his 77th birthday. The ceremony which was  held at the amphitheatre of  Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. Hosted dignitaries like the Sierra Leonian Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Dr. Minkailu Bah, former Governor of Ekiti State, Engr. Segun Oni, former Minister of Education, Prof. Babalola Borisade, Prof. Akin Mabogunje, Olowu of Owu, Oba Adegboyega Dosunmu, Osile of Oke-Ona Egba, Oba (Dr.) Adedapo Tejuoso among others.

Obasanjo spoke at the occasion saying that he could not give an actual date of his birth, attributing it to his parent’s inability to have it documented. He confessed that he had no real record of his birthday.  “Another thing is that, I was told by my mother that I was actually born on Ifo market day because, according, to her in our village, she had prepared to go to Ifo market and Ifo market is every five days. “And then she was under labour. Before those who went to Ifo market had come back, I was born. I know and she knew I was born on Ifo market day. Don’t ask me what year or month. Whether I know the exact date or not, I think God has made my path to be glorious.

Also he admitted that God had been gracious to him despite his shortcomings. “There are others like me who have no real record of birth. I want to thank God once again for what He has done in my life. Whether I know the exact date of my birth or not, “I am grateful to God and I cannot thank God enough for all He has done, for all that He is doing and all that I know He will continue to do in my life. “For making me to be a source of blessing to others, for making me to be a participant in areas that are of relevance and importance in the life of this country, Africa and indeed in the world”.

The Co-Chairmen of the library, Dr. Christopher Kolade and Amb. Carl Masters in their separate remarks, maintained that Obasanjo remained one of the most revered African leaders.