At a recent event held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, to commemorate his 88th birthday, former President Olusegun Obasanjo took the opportunity to address an issue close to his heart: the importance of African identity, particularly through names. In a public lecture and book presentation, where two significant books titled “Lest We Forget: Slavery, Slave Trade, Emancipation and Reparation” and “Nigeria: Past and the Future” were introduced, Obasanjo passionately advocated for the ‘decolonisation of names,’ urging Africans to embrace indigenous names for their children. He argued that such a move would dismantle the remnants of slavery and colonialism, fostering a stronger sense of nationalism.
In a lighter moment, he recounted how Dr. Akin Adesina, President of the African Development Bank, playfully continues to call him Matthew—a name Obasanjo has distanced himself from. Citing it as the name of a tax collector disciple, Obasanjo expressed a preference for traditional names, such as Peter, Samuel, John, and Moses. He humorously questioned why his late parents chose Matthew, suggesting that names hold profound cultural significance.
Obasanjo reaffirmed his commitment to his native names—Olusegun Aremu Okikiola Obasanjo—emphasizing his desire to shed colonial legacies. The occasion was graced by notable figures, including Peter Obi, the Labour Party Presidential Candidate, his running mate Yusuf Datti-Ahmed, and several prominent governors and political leaders, all gathered to honor the esteemed statesman.
