Former President Obasanjo Reveals 40-Year Battle With Diabetes

Nigeria's former leader Olusegun Obasanjo has disclosed how he has survived a 40-year battle with diabetes.

Obasanjo who made the disclosure on Sunday added that the ailment cannot be cured, only managed.

While addressing a gathering during a novelty match between the All-Stars football club of Abeokuta and the ex-Super Eagles, he revealed that he was diagnosed with diabetes 40 years ago.

“I was diagnosed with diabetes 40 years ago, and I am still fit and active. But there were people who were diagnosed, and within five years, they died.

"The difference is education, lack of education, or carelessness, not managing the disease.

“So, the theme for me is ‘Education for Management.’ You can live up to any age, and in any case, none of us is 100 per cent well. We are all carrying one illness or another.

“Knowing what you should do and what you should not do; knowing what you should eat and what you should not eat, and doing everything in moderation matter.

“As a diabetic person, you must not take sugar. Any carbohydrate, you take it moderately, once you know that and you go by it, you are fine”, Obasanjo said.

Speaking further, he stated that a patient can live up to 100 years if he or she adheres strictly to the “dos and don’ts” of diabetes.

“The problem of diabetes is a problem of knowledge and education: knowledge to know that it is not a curable disease, but a manageable disease", he added.