Obasanjo has good grasp of his family history ...Narrates his mother's betrothal at Chief Mrs Olaogun's birthday bash

Obasanjo dancing with the celebrant, Chief Mrs Olaogun while the husband and other admirers look on with pride.

By Foluso Adelaja, Executive Editor

Nigeria's former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is a well-known raconteur, but unknown to many, he is also a good chronicler, especially of his family's history.

This side of Chief Obasanjo came to light yesterday at a birthday party of the spouse of one of his kinsmen  where he proved that he is a good chronicler of the family's antecedents.

Obasanjo, the maestro telling the family history at the party.

The event was the birthday party of Chief Mrs. Esther Oluremi Abike Olaogun, the wife of Chief Gbolahan Olaogun, the Oganla of Ibogun who marked her sixtieth anniversary with fanfare at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta.

According to Chief Obasanjo, the celebrant's husband, Chief Olaogun is his maternal cousin as his mother was an Olaogun.

Chief Mrs Olaogun at her birthday bash yesterday.

In a very brief tale, the former president told the party crowd who were wondering what the respected elder statesman had in common with the celebrant, how his mother, an Olaogun got betrothed to Obasanjo.

Chief Obasanjo, a maestro at anecdotes riveted the enraptured crowd as he helped Chief Mrs Olaogun and the family to cut her birthday cake at the count of sixty.

The party which was an overplus of good food and entertainment exhibited a number of traditional leaders, top politicians and celebrities.

Some of the party guests yesterday.

The sudden appearance of Chief Obasanjo immediately after an excruciating period of great discomfort when the air-conditioning system of Reception Center, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, venue of the birthday party failed was like the much needed fresh air.

Everyone came alive again even after the elder statesman had left as they forgot the over an hour discomfort when the Reception Center turned to an oven.

The celebrant poses with some of the guests at the party.