‘Ẹ Yonda Mi’, Obasanjo Jokes About Missing Olota’s 80th Birthday

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo brought humour to the 60th birthday celebration of the Olota of Ota, Oba Professor Abdulkabir Obalanlege, as he joked about whether he would be around to witness the monarch’s 80th birthday celebration.

The 89-year-old former president made the lighthearted remarks while speaking in Yoruba at the anniversary event, where he also offered prayers for the traditional ruler.

Recalling an early-morning telephone call to the Olota, Obasanjo said he had already prayed for the monarch before joining the gathering to celebrate his 60th birthday.

“Kabiyesi, I called you this morning and prayed for you,” Obasanjo said in Yoruba.

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He then drew laughter from guests when he calculated his own age at the monarch’s future milestone celebrations.

Obasanjo noted that he would be 99 years old when Oba Obalanlege clocks 70 in 10 years, while he would be almost 110 when the monarch celebrates his 80th birthday.

“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,” he said.

His remarks elicited laughter from dignitaries, traditional rulers and other guests who gathered to honour the Olota on his diamond jubilee.

The celebration also featured a display of traditional Yoruba culture, with Fuji musician King Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, earlier seen in a video prostrating fully before Obasanjo after the former president came on stage.