What changed my perception about Charly Boy – Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed that witnessing Nigerian entertainer Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charlie Boy, take care of his ageing parents changed his perception of the controversial entertainer.

Obasanjo made the disclosure during an interview with media personality Bae U, published on Saturday, while reflecting on his relationship with Charlie Boy and his earlier perception of the entertainer, whom he had described as “Jaga Jaga”.

The former President said he initially had little regard for Charlie Boy but held his late father, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, in high esteem. Obasanjo described the former jurist as a great man and one of the Nigerians he respected while he was alive.

“He has a good father, Justice Oputa. Oh, what a great man. I wish Charlie Boy had resembled him,” Obasanjo said.

He, however, said his opinion began to change after he visited Justice Oputa and discovered that the late jurist was living in Charlie Boy’s house and being well cared for by his son.

According to Obasanjo, he did not initially know that the residence belonged to Charlie Boy. He recalled noticing a motorcycle parked in front of the house and being put off by its appearance before entering the building and seeing how Justice Oputa was being treated.

“When I first came to know Charlie Boy, I had no iota of regard or respect for him. But when I went to visit Justice and it was in Charlie Boy’s house. I didn’t know it was in Charlie Boy’s house,” he said.

The former President said seeing Charlie Boy personally care for his father until his death made him reconsider his earlier opinion. He described the entertainer’s conduct towards Justice Oputa as that of a responsible son.

“Ah, so I started changing my mind about Charlie Boy and until Justice Oputa died, Charlie Boy took perfect care of him, looked after him and he really behaved like a good child would give to his father,” Obasanjo recalled.

Obasanjo added that Charlie Boy also took care of his mother, whom he described as a humorous woman. He said he frequently visited Charlie Boy’s mother and observed the entertainer’s commitment to her welfare.

“He didn’t stop there. He did the same to his mother. And I used to frequently visit the mother, who was a great humorous woman. Charlie Boy took care of her. Then I started changing my mind. I changed my mind about him,” he said.

Obasanjo further recalled that he later asked Charlie Boy about his unconventional public image and the activities associated with his “Jaga Jaga” persona. According to him, the entertainer explained that the persona was part of his means of making a living.

The former President said Charlie Boy’s explanation also influenced his perception of him, adding that he came to recognise the intelligence behind the entertainer’s unconventional approach to public life and entertainment.

Obasanjo said he eventually developed some liking for Charlie Boy, although he made clear that it was limited. “So now I like him a bit, not too much,” he said, describing how his earlier perception of the entertainer had changed after observing his devotion to his parents.