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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has shared how his perception of veteran entertainer and activist Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, changed after witnessing the care and devotion he showed to his parents.Obasanjo made the revelation on Friday in Lagos during the public presentation of “999: A Memoir in Tribute to Late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.” The event celebrated the life and legacy of the late jurist while reflecting on Charly Boy’s unconventional career, activism and personal journey.
Speaking during a fireside chat, the former president admitted that he initially struggled to understand Charly Boy’s controversial “Area Fada” image. However, he said his opinion changed after learning that the public persona was different from the man behind it.
“Until you explained it in detail today that Charly Oputa is you, and Charly Boy is your creation. Fiction is not reality,” Obasanjo said.
He recalled his first visit to Charly Boy’s residence, saying he was hesitant because of the entertainer’s public image.
“I came close to you through your family. You took care of your father so well. Initially, I didn’t want to come to your house when I was told your family was there. The first thing that struck me about your ‘area boy’ lifestyle was the power bike parked in front of your house. I looked at the bike and shook my head.”
Obasanjo said everything changed after meeting the late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa and seeing firsthand how devoted Charly Boy was to his father.
“I entered your house and saw the old man. He was one of the few Nigerians I truly and sincerely respect. There I saw the attention you gave to your father, and I marvelled. You later let me in on the secret that this ‘Charly Boy thing’ is for survival, and that the real Charles Oputa is the decent man I have just seen.”
When the old man died, you gave him a befitting burial. Then your mum came to live with you, and I continued with her. Again, you took care of your mother so well. That made me change my mind about you.”The former president added that he now sees Charly Boy as a man with two distinct identities.
“You are two personalities in one; Charly Boy, the one you use to extort money from people, and Charles Oputa, the true son of Justice Oputa. That’s what really endeared me to you. And you know I can do anything for you now.”During the event, Obasanjo also reflected on his role in the Nigerian Civil War, stressing that his objective was always to preserve the country’s unity rather than inflict unnecessary destruction.
“I fought the civil war to unite Nigeria. If you are fighting a war to unite a people, you cannot take actions that are destructive or that will bring about disunity and separation,” he said.He explained that after recapturing Owerri, he deliberately avoided bombing the city to prevent civilian casualties and widespread destruction.
“I didn’t drop a single bomb in Owerri because it would be destructive. I dropped bombs outside Owerri to warn the people that we were coming. When I stormed Owerri, I met people on death row. I met someone like Professor Chike Obi and brought him out of prison where he would have been killed.”
I also met my colleague, David Ogulewe from Mbaise. He took me to Chief Okeke’s house where I met Philip Effiong, Justice Mbanefo, among others. That was where the war technically ended.”
The event attracted several prominent personalities, including former Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, businessman Leo Stan Ekeh, media scholar Dr. Austin Tam-George and veteran broadcaster Bisi Olatilo.
Reviewing the memoir, Dr. Tam-George described “999” as “a direct, sensitive and very revealing account of who Charles Oputa really is.”Speaking about the book, Charly Boy said it reflects his life’s journey and the values instilled in him by his late father.”
It is about truth, courage and the freedom to be yourself despite the odds. It is my tribute to my father, whose sense of justice shaped my worldview, and my gift to every Nigerian who has ever dared to be different.”
With the tagline “A Story. A Legacy. A Rebellion in Ink,” the memoir traces Charly Boy’s evolution from the son of respected jurist Justice Chukwudifu Oputa to one of Nigeria’s most outspoken entertainers and social activists, exploring themes of identity, family, resilience, purpose and self-expression.
