By Deborah Enwerem
Eccentric entertainer and foremost social activist, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, is set to take his explosive memoir ‘999’ and the Charly Boy Foundation on an international tour following its successful Lagos launch.
The ‘Areafada’ disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.
‘999’, an intriguing and unfettered book that unmasks the man behind the Charly Boy brand, featuring a foreword by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, was unveiled on July 31.
According to Charly Boy, after the historic Nigeria launch that had high-profile figures in attendance, all is now set to take the book on an international tour, spanning London, Germany, Kenya and other destinations.
He said plans were underway for him to begin the tour in the coming months alongside his team, including former president Obasanjo, who led an assemblage of distinguished Nigerians present at the launch.
“The big story is that we’re taking it to another level, because next month in September, we’re going to launch it in London.
“After London, we’re doing Germany and after that, we’re going to do Kenya where I know Baba Obasanjo has a lot of things going on for him.
“He’s so loved in Kenya. So, we’re taking this on a global level.” he said.
According to Charly Boy, who recently survived prostate cancer, the tour will also be used by his foundation to take its ongoing campaign on men’s health, particularly prostate issues, to Nigerian communities in Diaspora.
The septuagenarian said he has decided to use his personal experience to raise awareness about prostate health, specifically highlighting the importance of voluntary tests for early detection and treatment.
”Yeah, we’re launching the book, 999, but a very crucial aspect in this launch is about the Charly Boy Foundation.
“Since I was once a victim of prostate cancer, I just felt it behooves on me to do a very thorough campaign for men so they can take good care of themselves,” he said.
Speaking on his close relationship with Obasanjo, Charly Boy said their friendship stemmed from mutual admiration built on shared ideals for Nigeria, and honest dialogue, looking past each other’s public personas.
According to him, Obasanjo saw qualities in him that others often overlooked, including his courage, consistency, and a willingness to stand by his truth regardless of circumstances.
In return, he said he looked beyond the former president’s military and political background to see an elder shaped by war, leadership pressures, and national trials.
“Baba Obasanjo see something inside Charly Boy wey plenty people miss. He see courage. He see consistency. He see man wey stand for him truth whether rain fall or sun shine.
“And Charly Boy too see beyond uniform and title. He see elder wey don pass through war, leadership, pressure and still stand strong,” he said.
The former president had also said that he knew Charly Boy through his father, the late Supreme Court Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, whom Obasanjo considered a close friend.
Obasanjo said he initially kept his distance and scorned Charly Boy’s eccentric, alternative lifestyle because he expected the son of a disciplined jurist to look and act differently.
According to him, his view shifted after he witnessed the genuine care and dedication Charly Boy showed in looking after his aging parents.
The former president said he later developed great respect for Charly Boy over time because of his consistency and courage.(NAN)
Edited by Joshua Olomu