Former President Olusegun Obasanjo recounted an incident where he dismissed his daughter from his farm for arriving late to work. He shared this experience while hosting Dr. Dayo Israel, the new Chairman of the Board of Management of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, at his residence within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library complex in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Obasanjo emphasized the importance of discipline and leading by example. He narrated that shortly after his tenure as Head of State, his daughter, then a Veterinary Medicine student at the University of Ibadan, joined his farm for practical experience during a long vacation. On her first day, she arrived at 7:15 a.m. instead of the scheduled 7:00 a.m. He warned her about the need to set a good example for other workers. When she was late again the following day, he sent her back home from the gate. This action, he noted, had a profound impact on his employees, who remarked, “If Baba could do this to his daughter, who are we?”
He advised Dr. Israel to be prepared to make tough decisions and, if necessary, step on toes to ensure effective leadership. Obasanjo stated, “No leader of note he has ever come across achieved without stepping on toes.” He further encouraged Dr. Israel to be just, fair, and humane, even when enforcing discipline.
Dr. Israel, accompanied by FMC Abeokuta’s Medical Director, Prof. Adewale Musa-Olomu, and other management team members, described Obasanjo as an international figure full of wisdom and wit. He expressed gratitude for the former president’s insights, stating, “Meeting Baba Obasanjo is always so much fun. His wisdom and experience are invaluable as we begin this journey of transformation at FMC Abeokuta.”
