By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has pledged to attend the 70th birthday celebration of the Olota of Ota, Oba Professor Abdulkabir Obalanlege, but asked to be excused from the 80th on the grounds that he would be nearly 110 years old by then.
The 89-year-old elder statesman made the lighthearted remark while speaking in Yoruba at the monarch’s 60th birthday celebration, opening with a prayer before the humour took over. “Kabiyesi, I called you this morning and prayed for you,” he said.
He then worked through the arithmetic with the crowd at the monarch’s 70th birthday in 10 years, he would be 99; at the 80th, two decades away, he would be approaching 110.
He drew the line at the latter.
“I’m here celebrating your 60th birthday. I’ll join you for your 70th birthday in 10 years, but for your 80th birthday, which is 20 years from now, ẹ yonda mi — you’ll excuse me; you’ll celebrate that one the way it pleases you,” Obasanjo said, sending the gathering into laughter.
The celebration produced a further memorable moment when Fuji legend King Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, prostrated fully before Obasanjo as he came on stage; a display of traditional Yoruba respect that drew the attention of everyone present at the diamond jubilee.
