Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday said he has much affection for his traditional names but antipathy to his baptismal name, Mathew.
Obasanjo made this public at his 88th birthday celebration on Wednesday where he denied doctoring his age: “Don’t believe anyone saying I am older than 88; that I am 90. My mother said that I was born on Ifo Market day and I am Aremu and Kabiyesi, the Alake and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, was born on Itoku Market day and he is Aremu and nobody will change that.
“So, every Itoku Market day is Oba Gbadebo’s birthday while every Ifo Market day is my own birthday. We’ll leave it at that.”
Speaking on his preferences as regards his names: “The AfDB President, Dr Akinwumi Adesina while rejoicing with me on this occasion wants to continue to rename me Matthew.
“I have no problem with his evangelical mission of who Matthew was as one of the disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ but he was a tax collector.
“Now, we have Peter who was a disciple even though he denied Jesus but was forgiven and became the rock. We have John. I don’t fancy the name Matthew…and I don’t know why my father didn’t name me Peter, John, Samuel, Joseph. I would rather keep my name as Olusegun Aremu Okikiola Obasanjo.”
