Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has shared how his perception of veteran entertainer Charly Boy changed over the years, revealing that he initially kept his distance because of the singer’s unconventional lifestyle and appearance.
Speaking on the Before Tomorrow Comes podcast, Obasanjo said his close friendship with the late Supreme Court Justice Chukwudifu Oputa strongly influenced his early opinion of Charly Boy.
According to the former president, Justice Oputa was one of the few Nigerians he deeply admired for his discipline, decency and impeccable appearance. He admitted he found it difficult to reconcile the respected judge’s personality with Charly Boy’s eccentric style.
Obasanjo recalled that he deliberately avoided discussing Charly Boy with his father and often looked down on the entertainer because he expected the son of such a distinguished man to reflect similar values and mannerisms.
However, his perception began to change after witnessing Charly Boy’s deep commitment to caring for his parents, especially his father during his final years.
The former president said he was particularly moved by the entertainer’s devotion, noting that no amount of good dressing could surpass the level of care he showed to Justice Oputa.
Obasanjo added that his admiration for Charly Boy grew even stronger after the death of the retired judge, as he watched the singer provide extraordinary support and care for his mother.
He explained that those experiences helped him understand that Charly Boy’s unconventional lifestyle was simply part of his personality and creative expression.
The former president also said he learned important lessons from Charly Boy’s determination to live life on his own terms despite societal expectations and his father’s likely hopes for a more traditional career path.
According to Obasanjo, Charly Boy’s persistence eventually earned him acceptance and affection from his father, to the point where he became one of Justice Oputa’s favourite children in his later years.
Credit: TheCable
