FORMER 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, who made the disclosure, while playing host to the new Chairman, Board of Management of Federal Medical Centre Idi-Aba in Abeokuta, Dr Dayo Israel, who was on courtesy visit to him at his Penthouse residence, located in the premises of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, 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.

He said:

“No leader of note he has ever come across achieved without stepping on toes.”
Dr Israel was in 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 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.”

“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.”