Former President Olusegun Obasanjo shared how he once fired his daughter from his farm due to her lateness to work. He explained that the decision had a profound impact on his staff, with employees thinking, “If Baba could do this to his own daughter, who are we?”
Obasanjo made this revelation while hosting Dr. Dayo Israel, the new Chairman of the Board of Management of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, during a courtesy visit to his Penthouse residence within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Ogun State. Obasanjo advised his visitor to be prepared for the challenges ahead and be ready to take firm actions when necessary to ensure success in his role.
He noted, “No respected leader has ever succeeded without stepping on toes.” Dr. Israel was accompanied by the FMC’s Medical Director, Prof. Adewale Musa-Olomu, and other management team members.
Obasanjo, as quoted in a statement by the hospital’s Head of Public Relations, Dr. Segun Orisajo, emphasized, “If you’re doing your job well and not stepping on toes, you’re not doing it right.”
He recalled that after leaving office as Head of State, his daughter, a Veterinary Medicine student at the University of Ibadan, worked on his farm during a long vacation. On her first day, she arrived at 7:15 a.m. instead of the usual 7 a.m., prompting a warning from him. When she repeated the mistake the next day, he sent her home immediately.
The action had a strong impact on the staff, with them saying, “If Baba could do this to his daughter, who are we?”
Earlier, Dr. Israel praised Obasanjo as a global icon full of wisdom and insight, adding, “Meeting Baba Obasanjo is always enjoyable. As we begin this transformation at FMC Abeokuta, Baba’s wisdom and experience are invaluable.”
