How I Sacked My Daughter Over Lateness

How I Sacked My Daughter Over Lateness — Obasanjo

Reported by Ojo Racheal

The former president of Nigeria, President Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday recalled how he sacked his daughter from his farm on account of late coming to work.

According to Obasanjo, the action had an indescribable effect on all his employees, saying, “If Baba could do this to his daughter, who are we?”

The former President made the disclosure while playing host to the new Chairman of the Board of Management of the Federal Medical Centre Idi-Aba in Abeokuta, Dr. Dayo Israel, who was on a courtesy visit to him at his penthouse residence, located in the premises of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State capital. He told his visitor to brace up for the challenges ahead and be ready to step on toes, if necessary, for a successful tenure of office.

According to Vanguard, he said, "No leader of note he has ever come across achieved without stepping on toes.”

Dr. Israel was in the company of the FMC, Abeokuta Medical Director, Prof. Adewale Musa-Olomu, and members of his management team.

The former president, according to a statement by the hospital’s Head of Public Relations, Dr. Segun Orisajo, said: “If you’re doing a job and you’re not stepping on toes, then you’re not effective.

"Shortly after I left office as Head of State, my first daughter, then at the University of Ibadan, studying Veterinary Medicine, was engaged on my farm to gain some practical experience during a long vacation.”.

"On day one, she resumed at a quarter past seven in the morning instead of the usual 7 o'clock. I warned her, reminding her that she should set a good example for the other workers. I told her that I would not hesitate to wield the big stick if the same behavior was repeated in the future.”

"To my amazement, the following day, she was late to work again. I did not hesitate to send her back right from the gate.”

"Not surprisingly, this had an indescribable effect on all my employees, saying, “If Baba could do this to his daughter, who are we?”

Earlier, the FMCA Board Chairman, Dr. Israel, described Obasanjo as an international colossus, full of wisdom and wits.

Israel said, "Meeting Baba Obasanjo is always so much fun. As we begin this journey of transformation at FMC Abeokuta, Baba’s wisdom and experience are invaluable.”