The 61 year old grandfather Charles Chukwuemeka Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy has been known for getting involved in controversial activities, thus earning him the title as one of "Nigeria's most controversial entertainer" and he has remained one of the gist that garners wide public views.
But what makes him really controversial to many, is not his 80's punk-styled songs, or his creativity in songwriting, television presentation, video production, nor his eccentric entertainment skills... Stick with me, he is different things to different people, at different times. Without holding back, he is the first Nigerian sexagenarian to ever produce nude picture of himself (at least officially), first publicized entertainer who sleeps in coffin, first Nigerian to be disown at 60 by dad, first gay to preach in a Nigerian church (I think he remains uncontested), first Nigerian activist who own a large python as pet, and to be fair enough, the list is endless. He never beats the media eye.
My encounter with Charly Boy has certainly revealed a lot to me. There is this other side of Mr. Charles Oputa that for years, has been kept from the public view. He is a loving father, husband, and a grandfather. Certainly, he has a caring heart. Considering the endless activism to pursue a cause for equality in a society where the disparity between the poor and rich measures in planetary distance.
Many believe Charly Boy symbolizes evil. The reason, as always, is not farfetched. Of course, that he has an altar with inscription, “Welcome to Hell”, in front of his Abuja Mansion, is no news. With a small sculpture of a wizard, background by a large portrait picture of him seating nude in the buddha sitting posture. And holistically speaking, he wears his human skull inscribed rings (often times necklace) on all four fingers of both hands when posing for a photo shoot, interview, and or probably when performing his acts of activism on the streets.
"That man I dey craze" exclaimed an Aboki selling retail goods, as Charly Boy took us around Wuse market in Abuja metropolis. "Sometimes, I go normal, sometimes, I dey craze" He explained.
That Charly Boy is an evil man, would be a misguided assertion. That is stupidity elevated to the height of philosophy to think in such bigotry. He is an entertainer who understands what sells in entertainment industry. Even as a christian, I'll rather I keep my assumptions about the man Charly boy for you to decide. Because, already his personality like poetry tells a different story at different seasons. :)
