By Jimmy Fatunbi
Veteran entertainer Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has explained why former President Olusegun Obasanjo jokingly referred to him as an “ashawo” during the London launch of his memoir, 999.
Obasanjo, who hosted the September 29 event in London, was seen in a viral video making several teasing remarks about the entertainer, describing him as a “thief,” “barawo,” “drug addict” and “ashawo.”
The remarks generated reactions on social media, with some Nigerians seeking clarification on the former president’s reference to Charly Boy as an “ashawo”.
However, reacting in a post on X on Friday, Charly Boy said Obasanjo’s comment was not a literal accusation of prostitution but part of the banter and familiarity that characterise their relationship.
He wrote, “So Baba called me ASHAWO? Una dey ask me why Baba call me ashawo. My people, relax. Baba no mean say I dey run ashawo business. Or like say I dey follow women like Hegoat.
“You know say when you live your life differently from everybody else, people go give you plenty names. No kin name people never call me. Some say I be jaga-jaga boy. Some say rebel. Some say mad man. Some even call me a tortoise, dat am too smart for my own good.
“Now Baba don add ashawo to the CV.”
The entertainer said Obasanjo’s public teasing also reflected the affection and familiarity between them, likening their relationship to that of a father and a stubborn son.
He added, “But make I tell you something. If Baba has reached the point where he can stand in public and dey call me like his stubborn son, that one sef na sign of love.”
Charly Boy also recalled that the former president had previously acknowledged qualities he admired in him, particularly his commitment to his late father, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, and his mother.
“Because this same Baba wey dey call me all these names has also spoken about the things he respects about me, especially the way I stood by my father and later my mother,” he said.
Obasanjo has previously spoken warmly about the entertainer, describing him as a “jagajaga boy” while commending the care and support he showed his late father.
The former president also wrote the foreword to Charly Boy’s memoir, 999, and served as the chief host at its Nigerian launch before attending the London presentation.
Against this background, Charly Boy said he would accept the latest description as another addition to the list of unusual names he had acquired over the years.
He said, “So if Baba calls me ashawo boy today, no wahala bcos, it takes one to know one. I go just collect the title and continue my journey.”
He further suggested that the freedom to publicly tease someone could reflect a close personal bond.
“After all, na only person wey don enter your heart fit get enough confidence to disgrace you publicly.
“Baba, I hear you. But I no agree with the ashawo part o!”
