Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed a striking example of his leadership principles, recalling how he dismissed his daughter from her role on his farm for arriving late to work. He shared this anecdote while receiving the newly appointed Chairman of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba, Dr. Dayo Israel, at his residence in Abeokuta.
Obasanjo explained that he expected discipline and punctuality from all employees, regardless of their relationship to him. When his daughter, then a Veterinary Medicine student at the University of Ibadan, arrived late for her farm internship, he issued a stern warning. However, when she repeated the offense the next day, he promptly sent her away.
The former president emphasized that effective leadership often requires difficult decisions. “If you are doing a job and not stepping on toes, then you are not being effective,” he stated. His firm stance, he noted, sent a strong message to his staff, reinforcing the importance of accountability. Dr. Israel, who was accompanied by FMC’s Medical Director, Prof. Adewale Musa-Olomu, praised Obasanjo’s wisdom and leadership ethos as he prepared for his new role at the medical institution.
