…Reveals why he fought the Nigerian civil war
By Benjamin Njoku
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed that his growing relationship with entertainer and activist Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, was sparked by the musician’s devotion to his parents.
Obasanjo made the disclosure on Friday in Lagos, at the public presentation of “999: A Memoir in Tribute to Late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.” The event celebrated the life and legacy of the late jurist and was laced with laughter, reflections, and tributes to Charly Boy’s fearless advocacy and artistic impact.
Speaking during a fireside chat, Obasanjo admitted he was initially not a fan of Charly Boy’s controversial “Area Fada” persona.
“Until you explained it in detail today that Charly Oputa is you, and Charly Boy is your creation. Fiction is not reality,” Obasanjo said.
“I came close to you through your family. You took care of your father so well. Initially, I didn’t want to come to your house when I was told your family was there. The first thing that struck me about your ‘area boy’ lifestyle was the power bike parked in front of your house. I looked at the bike and shook my head.”
He added that his perception changed after meeting Charly Boy’s father.
“I entered your house and saw the old man. He was one of the few Nigerians I truly and sincerely respect. There I saw the attention you gave to your father, and I marvelled. You later let me in on the secret that this ‘Charly Boy thing’ is for survival, and that the real Charles Oputa is the decent man I have just seen.
“When the old man died, you gave him a befitting burial. Then your mum came to live with you, and I continued with her. Again, you took care of your mother so well. That made me change my mind about you.”
Obasanjo added: “You are two personalities in one; Charly Boy, the one you use to extort money from people, and Charles Oputa, the true son of Justice Oputa. That’s what really endeared me to you. And you know I can do anything for you now.”
Obasanjo also spoke on his role in the Nigerian Civil War, which ended in 1970.
“I fought the civil war to unite Nigeria. If you are fighting a war to unite a people, you cannot take actions that are destructive or that will bring about disunity and separation,” he said.
He recounted how, after recapturing Owerri, he deliberately avoided bombing the city.
“I didn’t drop a single bomb in Owerri because it would be destructive. I dropped bombs outside Owerri to warn the people that we were coming. When I stormed Owerri, I met people on death row. I met someone like Professor Chike Obi and brought him out of prison where he would have been killed.
“I also met my colleague, David Ogulewe from Mbaise. He took me to Chief Okeke’s house where I met Philip Effiong, Justice Mbanefo, among others. That was where the war technically ended.”
The event drew prominent figures including Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth; Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress, NDC; business mogul Leo Stan Ekeh; book reviewer Dr. Austin Tam-George, and veteran broadcaster Bisi Olatilo.
Reviewing the book, Dr. Tam-George described “999” as “a direct, sensitive and very revealing account of who Charles Oputa really is.”
Charly Boy said the memoir is “about truth, courage and the freedom to be yourself despite the odds. It is my tribute to my father, whose sense of justice shaped my worldview, and my gift to every Nigerian who has ever dared to be different.”
With the tagline “A Story. A Legacy. A Rebellion in Ink,” ‘999’ chronicles Charly Boy’s journey from the son of a respected jurist to one of Nigeria’s most outspoken cultural figures. It explores themes of identity, family, resilience, rebellion and purpose.
Beyond literature, proceeds and awareness from the launch will support the Charly Boy Foundation, which is championing men’s health and prostate cancer advocacy in Nigeria through public education, screening, and early detection campaigns.
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