Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo narrated how he sacked his first daughter from his farm for coming to work late. He said this while receiving the new Chairman of the Board of Management of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Dr. Dayo Israel, at his Penthouse residence within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library complex in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Dr Israel was in company of the FMC, Abeokuta Medical Director, Prof. Adewale Musa-Olomu and members of his management team. “Shortly after I left office as Head of State, my first daughter, then at University of Ibadan, studying Veterinary Medicine was engaged on my farm to gain some practical experience during long vacation”.
“On day one, she resumed a quarter past seven in the morning as against the usual 7 o’clock. I warned her, reminding her that she has an obligation to be of good example to other workers. I told her I will not hesitate to wield the big stick should the same be repeated going forward.
“To my amazement, the following day, she was late to work again. I did not hesitate to send her back right from the gate.”
Obasanjo said the action had a great impact on all his employees, who said “if Baba could do this to his own daughter, who are we?”
Obasanjo charged DrDayo to brace up for the challenges ahead and be ready to step on toes,if necessary, for a successful tenure of office, saying “No leader of note he has ever come across achieved without stepping on toes.”
The former President, according to a statement by the hospital’s Head of Public Relations, DrSegunOrisajo said: “If you’re doing a job and you’re not stepping on toes, then you’re not effective.
The FMCA Board Chairman, Dr Israel had who earlier on describedformer President Obasanjo as an international colossus, full of wisdom and wits, 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”.