Veteran entertainer and activist, Charles Oputa, also known as Charly Boy, says the renaming of the Charly Boy Bus Stop in Lagos doesn’t bother him.
The outspoken musician said Nigerians should care more about fixing the country than arguing over street names.
He was reacting to the recent decision by Bariga Local Council to rename the Gbagada bus stop after Afro-rap star Olamide, now called Olamide Baddo Bus Stop.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Charly Boy waved off the name change.
“My sister, if you ask me nah who I go ask? I don’t know why they do the things they do,” he said.
He described the move as “a little petty,” adding, “those are not the things we should be talking about right now.”
“Whether you name it Charly Boy or Olamide Baddo, or whatever, it’s neither here nor there. It doesn’t matter,” he said.
Legacy vs. Vanity
The bus stop originally bore his name because of his influence in the area.
“Once upon a time, I lived around the bus stop. The people in Gbagada felt it was right to name it after me.”
He recalled being an active part of that community in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
“I contributed to that community. I gave scholarships to young people. I related with the military pensioner, the Okada riders, the youths—everybody,” he said.
According to him, the bus stop got its name after he released a hit track in 1990.
“I remember the bus stop was named after my song was released in 1990. So it was around 1991-1992,” he explained.
Charly Boy maintained that names on signboards don’t define one’s worth.
“Anybody who has done something for their community can take the shine. It doesn’t really matter to me,” he added.
“Let’s Face 2027!”
Instead of fretting over names, Charly Boy urged Nigerians to look ahead—to 2027.
“The 2027 general election is what we should be worrying about. Let’s face what is facing us. 2027 election, how e go be? Will our votes count?”
He warned against voting for politicians who focus on enriching themselves while ignoring the needs of the people.
“We need a leader that is truthful, who shows that he has the interest of the masses at heart,” he said.
He called for a president who values people over profit.
“One that is willing to do everything possible for us to be self-independent, to be self-productive, not to be consumers. One that has human sympathy, one that is not over-religious.”
His message was clear: rename whatever you want, but don’t rename the fight for justice, good leadership, and a better Nigeria.
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