Veteran entertainer and political activist Charly Boy has opened up about his lifelong determination to establish his own identity beyond the shadow of his father, former Supreme Court Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.
Speaking about his journey, Charly Boy said he disliked being known only as “Justice’s son” and was determined to build a name for himself through his own achievements.
“I was determined to make a name for myself, build my own identity, and become my own person. Thankfully, it worked out just as I had hoped. It didn’t take my father long to come around because he realised there was no competition between us. I had built my own success and, at one point, I was even earning more money than he was,” he said.
The entertainer also explained that “Charly Boy” is a persona he created, revealing that he expresses different sides of his personality depending on the situation.
“Charly Boy is a brand I created. It doesn’t really exist. I may show up somewhere, and it’s not Charly Boy I send, it’s Linda, my female side. Other times, it may be neither Linda nor Charly Boy. It all depends on the situation and which side of me I choose to express,” he stated.
Reflecting on his personal growth, Charly Boy said he has embraced a life centred on peace and emotional well-being, adding that he has learned to shield himself from unnecessary stress.
“This is a new beginning for me because the old things have passed away. Now that I have seen the light, all I want is peace and tranquility, regardless of all the chaos around me. I may live in Nigeria, but I refuse to let the Nigerian way of stress and pressure live in me. I have learned that whenever I am under a lot of stress, I know how to switch it off and protect my peace,” he said.
Looking back on his life, the veteran entertainer acknowledged making mistakes but said those experiences ultimately helped him discover his true purpose.
“I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life, and I’m not proud of them. But those experiences helped me find my purpose—to do what truly speaks to my soul and what I’m genuinely passionate about. Today, I choose peace, and I believe we cannot claim to believe in humanity if we do not love our neighbours as ourselves,” Charly Boy added.
