How I fired my daughter for being late — Obasanjo

ABEOKUTA – Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed that he once dismissed his daughter from his farm due to her repeated lateness, a move that sent a strong message to all his employees.

Obasanjo recounted the incident while hosting the new Chairman of the Board of Management of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Dr. Dayo Israel. The courtesy visit took place at Obasanjo’s Penthouse residence within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The former President emphasized the necessity of discipline and tough leadership, advising Dr. Israel to prepare for challenges and be willing to step on toes when necessary for a successful tenure.

Leadership Requires Tough Decisions

Obasanjo stressed that no notable leader had ever achieved success without making difficult choices. According to a statement issued by the hospital’s Head of Public Relations, Dr. Segun Orisajo, Obasanjo shared his personal experience to illustrate his leadership philosophy.

“If you’re doing a job and not stepping on toes, then you’re not being effective,” Obasanjo asserted.

He recalled that shortly after leaving office as Head of State, his daughter, who was studying Veterinary Medicine at the University of Ibadan, took up a role at his farm for practical experience during her long vacation.

“On her first day, she arrived at 7:15 a.m. instead of the usual 7:00 a.m. I warned her, reminding her of her obligation to set a good example for other workers. I made it clear that I would not tolerate lateness.”

However, when she arrived late again the next day, Obasanjo took immediate action.

“To my amazement, she repeated the same mistake. I did not hesitate to send her back home right from the gate,” he recounted.

This action had a profound impact on his employees, reinforcing the importance of punctuality and discipline. “If Baba could do this to his daughter, who are we?” they reportedly remarked.

Dr. Israel Acknowledges Obasanjo’s Wisdom

Earlier in the meeting, Dr. Israel lauded Obasanjo as an international figure of wisdom and experience. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to learn from the former President.

“Meeting Baba Obasanjo is always a privilege and a source of invaluable insight,” Dr. Israel said. “As we embark on this journey of transformation at FMC Abeokuta, his wisdom will serve as a guiding light.”

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