By Gift Oba Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo has lamented that his mother did not live to witness his greatness after carr...
By Gift Oba
Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo has lamented
that his mother did not live to witness his greatness after carrying him for 12
months in her womb.
Obasanjo spoke at the presentation of the drama, titled
“Aremu Omo Asabi,” during the 66th remembrance programme held in honour of his
late mother at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun
State.
The former president said his mother battled with witches
and wizards while she was pregnant with him and lamented that she did not live
to enjoy the fruit of her labour.
Obasanjo said: “I was told I was in her 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 but 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.”
In his remarks, the Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun,
described Mama Bernice Obasanjo as a great woman while alive, saying her
influence would continue to endure through the lives of her children,
especially Chief Obasanjo, who remains a formidable figure in Nigeria’s
history.
Abiodun, represented by the Deputy Governor, Noimot
Salako-Oyedele, stated that mothers will forever be the bedrock upon which the
foundation of any society is built.
He asserted that the musical drama was not just recounting
history but was also a prompt reminder of the sacrifices of mothers.
“This tribute is also a call to action for all of us to
honour and support mothers in every way possible. It is a reminder of our
collective responsibility to create an enabling environment where every
mother’s hope for their children can flourish. This is why the present
administration continues to pursue policies that ensure access to quality
education, healthcare and opportunities for all so that the dreams that mothers
have for their children can be realised,” he said.
Also speaking, the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu,
represented by the secretary to the state government, Mrs Salu Hundeyin,
commended Chief Obasanjo for honouring his late mother after 66 years, pointing
out that mothers are special instruments in the hands of God and man, that must
be treated specially and accorded the necessary honour.
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