Obasanjo: I’ve had diabetes for over 35 years — but I’m still jumping up and down

Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo says he has been battling diabetes for over 35 years. 

Obasanjo said this on Wednesday during the closing ceremony of the Ogun State Diabetes Youth Development Camp held in Abeokuta, the state capital.

The former president had disclosed earlier in 2017 that though he was diagnosed with the ailment for over three decades, he is stronger than many young people.

Obasanjo said some of his diabetic friends died because they did not manage the disease well.

He said though diabetes has no cure at present, it should not be a cause for alarm if well managed.

He said diabetics should be mindful of their diet and take their drugs regularly.

“I have been diagnosed with diabetes for more than 35 years now and here I am, I’m still going about, I’m still jumping up and down, I’m still doing many things many people of my age cannot do,” Obasanjo said.

“Since I was diagnosed with diabetes, a number of my friends have died and the reason is that they just did not manage their diabetes the way they should manage it.

“It does not matter whether you are type one or type two. So far, there is no cure for diabetes. Maybe there will be a cure before I die, but I pray that there will be a cure before you die.

“You have to understand the type of food you should eat, you must completely abstain from sugar. The number of carbohydrates that you take must be watched.

“Don’t miss your drugs, in your own case, your insulin injection. I take my drugs along with me everywhere I go and I always check my blood sugar level regularly. Don’t let anybody put fear in your minds, diabetes, has no cure for now, but it can be managed.”

The camp, which was organised by Talabi Diabetes Centre, trained 21 children living with type-1 diabetes in the state on how to manage the disease.