vLeft: Obasanjo (centre), who left office after eight years on April 29, selected Jamaica to vacation with his three daughters. On Saturday night he was hosted at a very intimate dinner by friend and former Jamaican Prime Minister P.J. Patterson (left) at Villa 96, Half Moon, Montego Bay. Nigerian Chief J.Aobafemi Olopade (right) shared in the occasion.Right: Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo accepts a gift from Chief Modupe Akintola (left), Nigerian High Commissioner, Jamaica, who was assisted by consular officer Suleiman Mairiga (centre). Members of the president's entourage in the background look on. - photos by Janet Silvera

Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Two weeks after demitting the highest office in Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, escorted by his three vivacious daughters - Bunmi, Funke and Funsho - revived his love affair with the 'fairest isle man's eyes have ever seen' - Jamaica.

"I can now go anywhere I want to, do anything I want and sleep after 8 o'clock in the morning," boasted the former president at a reception hosted by former Jamaican Prime Minister P.J. Patterson at Half Moon in Montego Bay last Saturday night.

The Nigerian stalwart now has more days and hours to celebrate his retirement, and what better way than to bask in the comfort of an exclusive butler service, eight-bedroom villa at the elegant resort, while his private Challenger aircraft sits on the tarmac of the Sangster International Airport.

President Obasanjo had no reason to get out of bed before 10:00 a.m.

At the core of this well-needed vacation was the solace, relaxation and ultra pampering, while sequestered on the grounds of the exclusive resort. Absolutely no media interviews, no photographs and only a few close friends allowed to intervene in hisone-week sanctuary.

It comes as no surprise that long-standing associate and confidant, Mr. Patterson, would pull from his impressive compilation of Miles Davis, Ella Fitzerald, Jackie Wilfred Edwards and, of course, the Desperados Steel Band, to serenade and add that extra special effect to such a reception.

The great music was complemented by fabulous company, culinary delights and top brand liquors ably selected by Mr. Patterson's able assistant Debbie Hamilton for the visiting former president as a 'Forget me not' gift.

Tasty dishes

Mr. Patterson's personal chef, Devon Singleton, prepared a storm of succulent grilled lobster, pork spare ribs, sirloin steak, a seafood pasta to die for, barbecued chicken, whole baked fish, accompanied by corn on the cob, candied sweet potatoes, rice and peas, herb roasted potato wedges, topped with mixed vegetable salad, sweet potato pudding, coconut cream pie and cheese cake.

The competent Marlon Reid took charge of the Mouton Cadet, Dom Perignon, Moet and Chandon, Hennessey and Legacy Reserve premium bar.

On an evening when most people confined to the dress code 'casual', the who's who list included: Minister of Tourism Aloun Assamba, Nigerian High Commissioner to Jamaica, Chief Modupe Akintola and consular officer, Suleimon Mairiga, Custos Clarence Nelson, Carl Masters of Goodworks, Atlanta, Vee Redpath and Half Moon's Richard Whitfield, Myrtle Dwyer and Glamour Tours' Rachel Anderson, attorneys Gordon Brown and Carl Miller, Michele and Andy Daswani, SuperClub's Sam James Sr. and Sam James Jr., the Office of the Prime Minister's Valrie O'Brien, Casa de Oro's Indru Dadlani, Tropicana Jewellers Kumar and Julie Samtani, Doreen Frankson, Senator Noel and Sharron Sloley, Michelle and Mark Whittaker, Father Howard Gregory and Eleanor and Bobby Miller.

Left: Nigerian High Commissioner, Chief Modupe Akintola (right), addresses guests at the dinner in honour of visiting Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. Others in the picture are Julie Samtani (seated left), Kumar Samtani and Dorothy Vendryes.Right: One of Montego Bay's most gorgeous couples, Michelle Whittaker and her husband Gary, at the farewell dinner party for former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo.