Obasanjo Lightens Olota’s 60th, Jokes About Skipping 80th Birthday

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo brought a blend of prayers and playful remarks to the 60th birthday celebration of the Olota of Ota, Oba Professor Abdulkabir Obalanlege. The 89-year-old elder statesman, speaking in Yoruba, recounted making an early-morning call to the monarch to offer his blessings before making a humorous pledge about future birthday milestones.

“Kabiyesi, I called you this morning and prayed for you,” Obasanjo stated in Yoruba, eliciting laughter from the distinguished guests. He further amused the attendees by calculating his age in relation to the Olota’s upcoming anniversaries. Obasanjo noted that he would be 99 years old when the king celebrates his 70th birthday and nearly 110 by the time Oba Obalanlege reaches his 80th. With a mischievous twinkle, the former President playfully requested to be excused from the latter celebration.

“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 declared. His comments sparked widespread laughter among the dignitaries, traditional rulers, and other guests who had gathered to honour Oba Obalanlege’s diamond jubilee.

The event also saw Fuji music icon King Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, display a profound act of traditional Yoruba respect by fully prostrating before Obasanjo as he made his way to the stage, a moment previously reported by PUNCH Online.