Obasanjo recalls Charlie Boy’s concern for his father, saying ‘I hope he looks like him’

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has narrated how his perception of Nigerian entertainer Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charlie Boy, changed after witnessing the care he gave to his late father, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.

Obasanjo made this known during an interview with media personality Bae U, published on Saturday, while reflecting on his relationship with the controversial entertainer and explaining why he often refers to him as “Jaga Jaga.”

Asked about his description, the former President initially described Charlie Boy as someone whose public persona gave him little understanding of the entertainer.

“Well, Charlie Boy is so guarded that I don’t know anything about him,” Obasanjo said.

However, he said his respect for Charlie Boy’s late father, Judge Oputa, was immense.

Obasanjo described the former Supreme Court Justice as a great Nigerian and said he hoped Charlie Boy inherited more of his father’s characteristics.

“He’s got a good father, Judge Oputa. Oh, what a man. I hope Charlie Boy looks like him,” he said.

The former President said his attitude towards Charlie Boy began to change after he visited Judge Oputa at the residence he later discovered belonged to the entertainer.

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Obasanjo said what initially caught his attention was a motorbike parked outside the house, whose appearance he said was unusual.

“When I first knew Charlie Boy, I had absolutely no respect for him.

“But when I went to visit Justice and it was at Charlie Boy’s house, I didn’t know it was at Charlie Boy’s house.

“So the first thing that annoyed me at the house, I saw there was a motorbike in front of the house. The way the motorbike was dressed and everything, I said, ‘What is this?’

“Then I went into the house. I saw how Justice was being guarded and by whom? Charlie Boy.

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

According to Obasanjo, Charlie Boy’s commitment to caring for his parents does not stop with his father.

He said the entertainer also looked after his mother, whom he remembered as a woman with a strong sense of humor.

“He didn’t stop there. He did the same thing to his mother. And I often visited his mother, a very humorous woman.

“Charlie Boy took care of him. Then I started to change my mind. I changed my mind about him,” he said.

Former President Charlie Boy later explained that his unusual appearance and behavior were not just for publicity but also part of how he made a living.

Obasanjo said that this explanation further influenced his perception of the entertainer, who he later considered to be an intelligent person.

“Then one day I asked him, I said, ‘Look, Charlie Boy, what’s all this about?’

“You say Jaga Jaga, all the Jaga Jaga that I see, it’s making chops and it’s a smart kid, that Charlie Boy, it’s all Jaga Jaga, because you can’t do Jaga Jaga for a living without being smart,” he said.

Obasanjo said his experiences with Charlie Boy ultimately led him to develop affection for him, although he stated that it was limited.

“So now I like it a little, not that much,” he said.