By Joshua Olomu
Veteran Nigerian entertainer and activist, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has released teasers for his highly anticipated memoir, “999”,a retrospective look on how he chose to “live his truth” without regrets.
Charly Boy has been rolling out teaser clips across his social media pages, following his earlier announcement that plans were underway to unveil the historic memoir on July 31 in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in one of the videos now trending on social media platforms, Charly Boy speaks in Pidgin English, hinting at what to expect in the book.
He said: “The memoir of Charly Boy, Come close make I tell you something, I have nothing left to prove only things to share.
“I don reach that point way I no dey prove anything again, no be to impress you I no send, no be to win arguments, no be to show say I sabi pass that season don pass.”
According to the Septuagenarian, the memoir is an unfiltered account of his early life, choices, scars, and the consequences of living unapologetically on his own terms, which he intends to share.
“I don live life. I don see things, I don do bad things and good things, I don make mistakes, take stupid risks, correct am, learn from am.
“So watin remain na to share all the things way life teach me. I sit down and write am, na so 999 take bond, because experience way you no share na waste.
“All the battles, all the lessons, all the truth the way life show me, I no fit carry am go grave,” he said.
He said the masterpiece, featuring a foreword by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, promises to strip away the “Area Fada” myth to reveal his raw, unfiltered journey through rebellion, courage, and personal growth.
He added that the book revisits deep personal and national milestones, from his upbringing and early brushes with mysticism to navigating family dynamics with his late father, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.
According to him, the number ‘999’ symbolises a new beginning, representing his shift away from his past confrontational persona to a calmer, more reflective outlook on life.
Charly Boy, who survived a prostate operation, said the book also chronicles his journey throughout the trying period, and as well offered crucial advice to men.
“It’s time we stop pretending and start living fully.”999″ is not just a memoir. It’s a challenge. A confession. A revolution, and above all, Charles Emeka Oputa’s truth. Coming soon. Buckle up,” he said.
NAN reports that Charles Oputa, born June 19, 1950, is the son of renowned former Supreme Court Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.
He is a foremost singer-songwriter, television presenter, actor, and producer, and he is known for his alternative lifestyle, political views, and media productions.
The maverick entertainer was the host of the popular “The Charly Boy Show’, a 2011 judge for the talent hunt show ‘Nigeria Idol’, and a former president of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN).
He has been married to African-American singer and former fashion designer Diane for over 40 years, with children, including children from past relationships.
He is acclaimed to be the advocate of the masses, as he has fought for the rights of ordinary Nigerians, and had on several occasions been tortured by security operatives for standing up to authorities.
In the mid-nineties, CharlyBoy fought for the rights of military pensioners during the detachable military dispensation, by marching to the defence headquarters in Abuja to demand payment of their pension arrears
In 2017, Charly Boy led ‘Our Mumu Don Do’ movement, and participated in a daily sit out protest alongside other activists.
The movement was to call on President Muhammadu Buhari then to resume office or resign after the President had spent over 60 days outside the country on a health visit to the UK.(NAN)
Edited by Joseph Edeh
