Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has explained his admiration for entertainer Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charlie Boy, saying the musician’s unconventional “jaga jaga” lifestyle does not diminish his qualities as a devoted son and resilient individual.
Obasanjo made the remarks during an interview on the Before Tomorrow Comes podcast, which was posted on YouTube on Thursday.
Recalling his initial impression, Obasanjo said he was shocked by Charlie Boy’s appearance given his father’s reputation.
“I started seeing Charlie Boy, and they say Charlie Boy is the son of Justice Oputa. Justice Oputa is decent, well-groomed, well-dressed, immaculate, and proud. And then I saw this man called Charlie Boy, Oputa’s son. He was dressed jaga jaga. I said, ‘Look, how can an adult dress like this?’ So I didn’t think much of Charlie Boy,” he stated.
The former president said his perception changed after witnessing how Charlie Boy cared for his late father, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.
“But what struck me was Charlie Boy’s way of taking care of his father. If Charlie Boy had been ten times immaculately dressed, he would not have taken care of his father better than I saw him taking care of him. So, I got drawn to Charlie Boy,” Obasanjo said.
He added that he later understood Charlie Boy’s eccentric dressing and behaviour as part of his entertainment persona.
“I realised that Charlie Boy’s jaga jaga tricks, his mediated acts of being a comedian and making money out of the way he dressed, his manner of behaviour, it’s all part of comedy, amusement. So, I got drawn to Charlie Boy,” Obasanjo noted.
Obasanjo also praised Charlie Boy for the way he cared for his mother until her death, describing it as giving her “a decent goodbye that any child could give.”
He wrote the foreword for Charlie Boy’s memoir titled 999, which he described as “a masterpiece” filled with valuable lessons on family, resilience and philanthropy. The public presentation of the book is scheduled for July in Lagos.
Obasanjo used the story to advocate for greater tolerance, urging parents to guide their children towards paths that are not criminal while allowing them to express their true selves.
