Ex- President Obasanjo reveals major ailment he is nursing even at 89-years-old
Ex- President Obasanjo reveals major ailment he is nursing even at 89-years-old
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged Nigerians to prioritise healthy living through regular exercise, proper diet and routine medical check-ups, saying the lifestyle choices have helped him remain active at 89 despite living with diabetes for more than 40 years.
Obasanjo spoke on Saturday in Abeokuta after performing the ceremonial tee-off at the 2026 FirstBank/OBJ Golf Tournament held at the Abeokuta Golf Club.
The former president stressed that exercise becomes even more important with age, noting that discipline and consistency in managing one’s health were critical to longevity and wellness.
“One thing you must understand is that exercise is very important at every age, and even more important when you become a senior citizen,” he said.
“I’m officially 89 years old, but by the grace of God, I have been keeping fit and strong despite the fact that I have been diabetic for over 40 years. Many people do not take their health seriously enough.”
Obasanjo explained that he follows what he described as the “DREAMS + C” principle, which he said promotes healthy and balanced living.
According to him, “D stands for diet — what kind of food do you eat? R is for rest — do you have time to rest? E is for exercise — you must exercise regularly. M is for medical — the need to go for check-ups and take necessary medication.
“S is for social — create time to interact with people. This was one of the reasons I established a Senior Citizens Club in OOPL, and the minimum age for joining is 70.
“Finally, C stands for contentment. Whatever position you are in life, be content. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be ambitious; you should have realistic ambition, but avoid over-ambition.”
The elder statesman also commended FirstBank for sustaining sponsorship of the annual golf tournament organised in his honour, describing the competition as a platform that promotes fitness, friendship and national unity.
“I am always excited every year to be part of this tournament because beyond the game itself, it encourages exercise, interaction and national unity,” he added.
