Basking in His Glory- Autobiography

The story of his life is definitely one for the books, it obviously is an inspiration, that no matter how hard life get, with hard work and prayers, one can achieve anything he/she sets the mind to. His over 600 paged autobiography aptly titled Basking in God’s Favour: An Academic’s Autobiography chronicles his life’s struggles, challenges and growth.

He had wanted to write it after returning to Nigeria from the WHO in 1999 and publish before 2001.

Anyone who has ever met former President Obansanjo would attest that Lambo, asides sharing an uncanny resemblance to the former President, also gesticulates like him. With a throaty enlongated laugh, he shared several instances where he had been mistaken for the former President.

“While working with DFID , I had a black jeep and was living in Wuse 2. Anytime I was driving home, some of these boys around always thought I was him. Secondly I travelled with his son, Seun, and the ADC to Mrs. Obasanjo who knew me very well introduced us. Seun has a Phd in electrical engineering which is what my son also studied. So I liked the boy because he also looked like my son. When I came back from my mission, I went to brief baba, so I mentioned that I met his son. I told him I liked the boy, and baba asked why. I said he looks like my son and is also in the same field as my son. Baba said “Eyitayo, have people told you that you and I look alike?” Also till date, when I go to London, at Heathrow, some people would still be whispering Obasanjo, Obasanjo.”

Both men had however only met once in 1988 when Obansanjo hosted a leadership dialogue forum on health and development, and somehow, Lambo was invited.

As apolitical as he was, Lambo recalled that Baba accepted him that way as Minister, even though he had to register as a member of the PDP. He relayed his interview before his appointment with President Obasanjo, Vice President Atiku and PDP Chairman, Audu Ogbeh.

“I was asked “are you a member of the party?” I said which party? He said ‘PDP of course. I said not really, but I have asked a cousin in Ilorin to help me find out how I can become a party member”. He told Audu Ogbeh “we have to work on this one”. He also asked me what the party slogan was? I looked up and down and did not know it.”

“My wife was close to his wife, and was organising the wives of ministers. They went to do something in Abeokuta, most of the wives went, and some of my colleagues were there. When baba came in, the first lady was introducing the ministers’ wives to him. When it was my wife’s turn, baba asked where I was, and my wife was trying to come up with an excuse. He said “don’t worry, if I see Tayo here, I would be surprised.”

Lambo therefore has and holds on to his own personal opinion of the former president and they both enjoy a good relationship till date.