Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed that he initially had no regard for veteran entertainer Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, but his perception changed after witnessing the singer’s devotion to his late parents.
Obasanjo made the disclosure on Saturday while appearing on the Curiosity Made Me Ask podcast hosted by content creator Isbae U, where he was asked why he often described Charly Boy as “jaga jaga.” The former president said his first impression of the entertainer was shaped by his flamboyant and unconventional public persona.
He however expressed deep admiration for Charly Boy’s late father, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, describing him as a great man and one of the few Nigerians he highly respected. According to Obasanjo, he wished the entertainer had taken after his father’s character and stature.
Obasanjo recalled that his attitude changed when he visited Justice Oputa without knowing that the jurist was being housed and cared for by Charly Boy. He said he was initially put off by a decorated motorcycle parked outside the house, but became impressed after entering and seeing how well the former Supreme Court justice was being looked after.
The former president said Charly Boy provided dedicated care for his father until his death and extended the same devotion to his mother, whom he described as a humorous woman he frequently visited. He added that when he confronted Charly Boy about his lifestyle, the entertainer explained that his eccentric appearance was a strategy for earning a living, a response that made him acknowledge Charly Boy’s intelligence.
I Had No Regard For Charly Boy Until I Saw How He Cared For His Father – Obasanjo
