I don't know my real age - Obasanjo

 

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the ceremony marking his 77th birthday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Wednesday said that he did not know his real age.

Obasanjo described the 77th birthday as his “official birthday”.

He said, “There are those of us 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 think God has made my path glorious.

“I was actually born on Ifo market day because according to my mother, she had prepared to go to the Ifo Market and Ifo market was every five days. And then she was in labour, before those who went to Ifo market could 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.”

Obasanjo’s revelation was in response to the Olowu of Owu, Oba Olusanya Dosunmu’s assertion that the two-time leader of the country was actually older than 77 years.

He said it was not important that he did not know his age as that had not stopped God from making his path a glorious one.

The former President, who spoke amid applause, thanked President Goodluck Jonathan  for “congratulating me on this day of my official birthday.”

The event, which was organised by the Centre for Human Security, in conjunction with the UNESCO Institute for African Culture and International Understanding, held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, in Abeokuta.