Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed how his perception of veteran entertainer and activist Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, changed after witnessing the care he provided for his late father, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.
Obasanjo made the remarks during an interview on Curiosity Made Me Ask, hosted by Isbae U, where he explained his repeated description of Charly Boy as “jagajaga” — a term he used to describe what he regarded as the entertainer’s unconventional appearance and lifestyle.
The former president said he initially had little regard for Charly Boy, particularly because of his unconventional dressing and public persona.
However, he said his opinion began to change after he visited Charly Boy’s residence and discovered that it was also the home of his father, the late Justice Oputa, whom Obasanjo said he greatly respected.
Obasanjo recalled being struck by the way Charly Boy cared for his father.
He said the entertainer continued to look after Justice Oputa until his death and later extended the same level of care to his mother, whom Obasanjo described as a humorous woman he frequently visited.
According to the former president, Charly Boy’s commitment to his parents made him reconsider his initial judgment of the entertainer.
“Then I started changing my mind. I changed my mind about him,” Obasanjo said.
He said he subsequently asked Charly Boy about his unconventional lifestyle and appearance.
According to Obasanjo, Charly Boy explained that his distinctive public persona was partly a means of making a living.
The former president said the explanation also made him recognise Charly Boy’s intelligence.
“He’s an intelligent boy,” Obasanjo said, adding that maintaining such an unconventional persona for a livelihood required a degree of intelligence.
Obasanjo nevertheless maintained that his affection for Charly Boy remained measured.
“I like him a bit, not too much sha,” he said.
The former president also spoke warmly of the late Justice Oputa, describing him as one of the few Nigerians he respected during his lifetime.
He said his admiration for the former Supreme Court justice was an important factor in changing his perception of Charly Boy after witnessing the way the entertainer cared for his parents.
The remarks provided a more personal account of the relationship between the former president and Charly Boy, showing how the entertainer’s treatment of his parents influenced Obasanjo’s initial negative perception of him.
