The Olowu of Owu Kingdom in Ogun State, Oba Adegboyega Dosunmu, has said that ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, knows his correct date of birth, but won’t disclose it to anybody.
The former president’s birth date has been shrouded in secrecy with Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka famously asserting that Obasanjo is his age mate or older. Soyinka is 79-years old.
The monarch, who described Obasanjo as his “close friend” and “Balogun Owu,” noted that the former President decided to keep the date to himself but was in the habit of telling people he was “born in Ibogun a day before Ifo market day”.
Oba Dosunmu said this in his brief remark on Wednesday morning at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, at the occasion marking the 77th birthday of the former President.
Although, he did not reveal the date, Oba Dosunmu advised that people should pay more attention to the aspect of Obasanjo’s life that is “quite obvious” yet remains unknown to many.
He described the former President as humane and sympathetic, always ready to offer help to people in need.
In his remarks, Obasanjo said the date being celebrated is “official” but promised to reveal the real date by himself in future.
The former President, who also appreciated President Goodluck Jonathan for sending him a text message this morning to congratulate him on the occasion of his birthday, said whether he knows his correct birth date or not, isn’t important because God has made that day glorious.
Obasanjo said: “Olowu wanted to let the cat out of the bag, but he didn’t quite succeed, the date would be revealed by me. The truth is I was born. The truth also is that I was born on Ifo market day according to my mother because she was actually prepared to go to Ifo market that day when she began to have labour and gave birth to me.
“Don’t ask me the day and year. Whether I know the birth date or not, the important thing is that God has made my birth glorious”.
The low-key birthday event was attended by Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Prof. Akin Mabogunje, Dr Christopher Kolade, former Ekiti State Governor, Segun Oni, Obasanjo’s wife: Bola among others.
