Former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed why he developed admiration for veteran entertainer Charly Boy despite initially disapproving of his unconventional lifestyle and public image.
Speaking during the Before Tomorrow Comes podcast, Obasanjo said he first came to know Charly Boy through his father, Chukwudifu Oputa, whom he described as one of the few Nigerians he deeply respected and considered a personal friend.
According to Obasanjo, he initially found it difficult to reconcile Charly Boy’s eccentric appearance and lifestyle with the disciplined and refined personality of Justice Oputa. He said he deliberately kept his distance from the entertainer because he expected the son of such a distinguished jurist to reflect his father’s conservative outlook.
The former president recalled that Justice Oputa was always impeccably dressed and carried himself with dignity, while Charly Boy’s flamboyant style, motorcycles and unusual fashion choices appeared completely at odds with his father’s image.
However, Obasanjo said his perception changed after witnessing the exceptional care Charly Boy gave to both his parents, especially in their later years. He said that beneath the entertainer’s controversial public persona was a deeply devoted son whose commitment to family left a lasting impression on him.
He noted that Charly Boy’s dedication to his late father was remarkable, adding that even someone with a more conventional appearance could not have cared for Justice Oputa better than he did.
Obasanjo said he later became close to Charly Boy and his family, especially after the death of Justice Oputa and during the lifetime of his mother, whom he also came to know well.
He added that he eventually realised Charly Boy’s unusual dressing and behaviour were part of his entertainment identity and personal brand, rather than a reflection of his values.
Obasanjo said there were important lessons to learn from Charly Boy’s life, particularly his decision to pursue an unconventional path while remaining devoted to his family. He also disclosed that he wrote the foreword to Charly Boy’s memoir, 999: The Memoir of Charly Boy, describing the work as well written and a masterpiece.
