Former President Olusegun Obasanjo brought humour to the 60th birthday celebration of the Olota of Ota, Oba Professor Abdulkabir Obalanlege, as he jokingly promised to attend the monarch’s 70th birthday while asking to be excused from the 80th.
Obasanjo, who is 89, made the remark while speaking in Yoruba at the anniversary celebration held in honour of the traditional ruler.
The former president recalled calling Obalanlege earlier in the morning to pray for him before turning his attention to the monarch’s future milestone birthdays.
“Kabiyesi, I called you this morning and prayed for you,” Obasanjo said.
He then calculated his own age in relation to the monarch’s next major birthday celebrations, telling the gathering that he would be 99 when Obalanlege clocks 70 in 10 years.
“I’m here celebrating your 60th birthday. I’ll join you for your 70th birthday in 10 years,” he said.
However, Obasanjo joked that attending the monarch’s 80th birthday celebration 20 years from now might be beyond his reach.
“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,” he added.
The comment drew laughter from dignitaries, traditional rulers and other guests who gathered to celebrate the Olota’s diamond jubilee.
The celebration also featured a notable display of Yoruba cultural respect when Fuji musician, King Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, prostrated fully before Obasanjo after coming on stage.
The gesture further added to the cultural significance of the event held to mark Oba Obalanlege’s 60th birthday.
Advertisement