Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed that his late mother carried him for 12 months due to a battle with “witches and wizards.”
He shared this during the 66th remembrance event for his mother, Mama Bernice Obasanjo, held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Cinema Hall in Abeokuta, as reported by Daily bTrust.
Obasanjo expressed regret that his mother did not live to see his achievements, feeling nostalgic each time he remembered her.
He noted that his mother had nine children, but only he and his sister survived.
“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,” Obasanjo said.
Governor Dapo Abiodun, represented by Deputy Governor Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, highlighted the vital role of mothers in society, describing Mama Obasanjo as a great woman whose influence endures through her children, especially Chief Obasanjo.
Abiodun praised the musical drama ‘Aremu Omo Asabi,’ performed in celebration of her life, as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices mothers make and the indelible spirit they pass on to their children.
He commended the crew for their dedication to artistry, which transcends entertainment.
“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 which ensure access to quality education, healthcare, and opportunities for all, so that the dreams that mothers have for their children can be realized,” Abiodun said.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Secretary to the Lagos State Government Mrs. Salu Hundeyin, commended Obasanjo for honouring his late mother after 66 years, saying that mothers are special instruments in the hands of God and man and should be treated with the utmost respect and honour.
