Former President Olusegun Obasanjo shared a remarkable and personal story about his birth, revealing that his mother carried him for 12 months due to the influence of witches and wizards, before divine intervention led to his birth.
The revelation came during a drama presentation titled “Aremu Omo Asabi,” held in Abeokuta to mark the 66th remembrance of his late mother, Bernice Obasanjo.
In a statement issued by his media assistant, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo recounted that his mother had nine children, but only he and his sister survived. He lamented that his mother did not live to see the heights he achieved with God’s help.
“I was told I was in my mother’s womb for 12 months, and since I was born, I have not been left for once. She had nine children, but two of us survived, myself and my sister,” Obasanjo said.
“I was the only one who went to school because my father’s belief was that no matter how educated a female child is, she would end up in the kitchen.”
The drama was held at the main auditorium of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta.
Obasanjo promised to support the troupe’s quest to present the longest open drama to clinch a Guinness World Record.
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, represented by his Deputy Noimot Salako-Oyedele, praised Obasanjo’s mother as a great woman whose influence endures through her children, especially Obasanjo.
She emphasized that mothers are the bedrock of society and that the tribute was a call to support mothers.
“This tribute is also a call to action for all of us to honour and support mothers in every way possible. It reminds us of our collective responsibility to create an enabling environment where every mother’s hope for their children can flourish,” Salako-Oyedele said.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Secretary to the State Government Salu Hundeyin, commended Obasanjo for honoring his mother after 66 years.
He noted that mothers are special instruments in the hands of God and man, deserving of special treatment and honor.
The event highlighted the enduring legacy of Bernice Obasanjo and the significant sacrifices made by mothers, inspiring collective efforts to support and uplift them.