As part of activities to mark this year’s World Cancer Day, Let’s Kill It, a non-governmental organisation last Saturday, organised a 5km walk to campaign against the dreaded disease.
The walk which was led by musician and television producer Charly Boy had about 70 participants walking around some streets of Lagos Island. Dancing energetically throughout the march, founder of Let’s Kill It, Tinuke Lawal Sanusi, who is a film editor and also a breast cancer survivor said the aim of the foundation is ‘to create awareness, advocacy, education, motivation, inspiration and support’ relating to cancer.
Playing music from loud speakers mounted on trucks, the 5km walk which took about one and half hours had participants marching and dancing, turning from Freed Park into Broad Street and walking down its entire length to Apongbon before turning into Marina and walking down to the NET building and turning back to Broad Street and Freedom Park.
On why he is taking part in the walk, Charly Boy had earlier stated that ever since his friend, Tina Onwudiwe, died as a result of cancer, he has always been speaking out against the dreaded disease.
“We need to fight that fight to a standstill,” Charly Boy said, referring to the fight against cancer.
Reiterating the need for government participation in fighting cancer, Tinuke Lawal-Sanusi, who said she was fortunate to be a survivor as she only started treatment in 2016, two years after being diagnosed of breast cancer in 2014.
“I believe that with the right support from the right organisations, government and philanthropists, we can put these things in place and make life easier for everybody,” she had said.
Cancer is a scourge all over the world and lots of other countries are prepared to fight it. Nigeria is the least prepared to fight cancer. Our doctors are really trying but unfortunately, there is nothing for them to work with. After going through all that and with the grace that God gave to me to survive, I couldn’t keep quiet.”
Tag: Charly boy
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Charly Boy leads walk against cancer
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CHaRLy bOY ‘Biafra is a state of mind’
Controversial musician, producer and activist, Charly Boy, has relocated to Lagos, 13 years after he left for Abuja. JOE AGBRO JR. speaks with the former Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria’s (PMAN’s) president on location while shooting an episode of his television programme, and he talks about what he is up to, why he supports political activism of Nigerian youths and his relationship with his late father. Excerpts:
you know that I like everything about the dead. So, I have gurus and virgins who help me make the connection. So, I talk to him in times of problem
WHAT is Charly Boy doing in a funeral home in Lagos?
I’m shooting an episode for my TV series. It’s called Charly Boy On The Pulpit. You know, my ministry is growing. And the frustration and gbengen in Nigeria is looming. So, my job is to always talk to the youths.
So Charly Boy on The Pulpit talks about our political brouhaha, all the things we’re going through as frustrated, suffering Nigerians; all what is happening to us. And then, proffering another kind of a rejuvenation of the mind-set, how young people should think. And what should be their values, and in a roundabout way, to even reawaken young people who are docile, complacent about their future, their stolen future. So, that is what I’m doing. My radio show, the TV show would soon be on air. So, we’re just doing parts of the episodes.
You’re associated with ghoulish productions where you’re with coffins. What are you trying to convey?
Like this particular episode, we’re talking about obituary. I’m asking the question: “How would you want your obituary to read? Is it going to be a story of tenacity and struggle? How did you treat other people? How, most importantly, did you treat yourself? Did you reach out? Were you for just ‘you yourself and you’? Or did you try to lift other people?” This is what I’m talking about. But you know, in a Charly Boy way, I have very crazy way of talking about very serious things, serious issues. And I don’t see why we should be afraid of death because we’re born to die.
Everybody is going to go. So, that is why in a very reflective and sober mood, I’m asking the question: ‘what would your obituary read like?’ Like I already concluded my obituary: ‘I came, I saw, I … did it my way.’
It’s been about 20 months into the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. How would you rate his government so far?
How every other frustrated Nigerian like me is rating it. It’s a no-show. It’s a no-show because in this century, look at the kind of poverty, look at the hopelessness, look at the bleak future of the youths, look at the level of employment. I’m not dumping it all on Buhari’s table, no. But, I’m saying, until we begin to ask the leadership questions, and hold them accountable for their irresponsibility, Nigeria would not change.
And this is what I’m trying to shout my head off from the roof-top for the Nigerian youths. Because this country would only be saved by its exceptional youths. So, all this docility is really killing our humanity. I never see country before wey your leaders go dey do anyhow, they’re not in tune with the masses, the masses go dey sleep, go dey dulling, go dey jonsing, dey do like e no concern dem. And I’m warning, if Nigerian youths don’t wake up to their responsibility to reclaim their stolen future na sand-sand everibodi go chop before the end of the year. Mark my words.
On February 6th, some Nigerians want to take to the streets to protest bad governance…
That is what I’m hoping catches on everywhere in Nigeria. People should start to show their displeasure, their vexation, their anger with the way things are. So, it’s a good thing the people are coming out. There should be more people – more celebrities should be advocating for this so people can stand up and hold this government accountable for all the goofs. That’s what we’re saying.
You also wrote a letter on Facebook, addressing Igbo youths concerning Biafra. Does Charly Boy align to Nigeria or Biafra?
I call myself Nwa-Biafra – the son of Biafra. I’m an Igbo man. I’m a native chicken. I believe in all the values that symbolise Igboness – consistency, hard work, industry and so on and so forth. But I also was a survivor of the Biafran war and what I saw in that war was death all around me, death everywhere I turned. We died more because of hunger than the bullets. I don’t want to go back there. In America today, with what the childish president they have in the name of Donald Trump, what he is doing to immigration. Look at how people are coming out to protest. This is not who we are. This is not how we should go about things.
I believe in Biafra in a way that it is high time the Igbo would not say that they don’t know what has been happening, that we’re not marginalised, we’re not the tribe that is being hunted. We should go back home, look at our place. For all the Igbo millionaires and billionaires, they should go back home and start to develop the east, so we can make the east an economic hub for the country. It will be better for the Igbo nation. It will be better for Biafra if you have Biafra in your heart. It will be better for Nigeria. So, rather than us playing ourselves out of the political situation, we should start having that think-home mentality. And this is what I’m advocating. Biafra is a state of mind.
This one that you’re in Lagos for the Let’s Kill It cancer campaign…
I’m in Lagos because I’m relocating. Because my fight is against Abuja and all it stands for. That’s why I’m in Lagos now.
Is it that you feel under threat?
I don’t feel under threat. Anywhere in Nigeria is my home. And I miss Lagos. So, I’m coming back to revive my energy, reboot, refresh and we go see wetin go happen for this country. We ready for them (government).
Any particular thing you’ve missed in Lagos?
I’ve been away for 13 years. I miss my TV show, that’s why I’m doing one. I miss the radio show. I miss the creative world. I miss so many things. So, Lagos is missing me too like I’m missing Lagos.
On this cancer trek you’re doing, your friend, Tina Onwudiwe, was one of the first Nigerians that came out publicly that she had cancer…
Yes, and that is why I’m supporting everything that has to do with cancer. We need to fight that fight to a standstill.
Then and now, what do you think has changed as per the fight against cancer in the country?
Well, there’s more awareness, more information and better treatment. So, it’s a good thing.
Since your dad’s passing, is there anything you miss about him?
I miss our friendship. E remain make my papa be my manager. And you know, for about 14 years, he lived in my house. So, I miss all that friendship. But, I don’t miss it too much again because I communicate with him. Now, you know that I like everything about the dead. So, I have gurus and virgins who help me make the connection.
So, I talk to him in times of problem. And as it were, last week when I spoke to him, he’s cringing in his grave because of what the judiciary has turned to, the Nigerian judiciary. What the judges have turned to – judges having central banks in their water tanks. He’s been cringing because of the great corruption in this country. Everybody knows my father now. He was as straight as a pencil, the incorruptible, the Socrates of the Supreme Court, Honourable Justice Chukwudifu Akunne Oputa.
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Charly Boy to support cancer survivor, Atinuke Lawal on ‘Let’s Kill It’ walk
As part of activities to mark 2017 World Cancer Day, an NGO, ‘Let’s Kill It’, is planning a fitness walk campaign against the disease. The event which takes place on Saturday, February 4, is expected to kick-off by 9am at Broad Street, Marina, Lagos.
Conveners say shortly before the walk, there will be a health check session between 7:30am and 8:30am, to be followed by slow tempo aerobics dance between 8:30am and 9:00am.
Also joining the walk is musician, producer and activist, Charly Boy, whose friend, Tina Onwudiwe, was one of the first Nigerians to publicly seek support for cancer. “We need to fight that fight to a standstill,” Charly Boy said.
Founder of ‘Let’s Kill It’, Atinuke Lawal Sanusi, said she is passionate about the campaign, having had a path with cancer.
Atinuke, a film editor and mother of two who was diagnosed with cancer in 2014 but started treatment in 2016 said she was fortunate the cancer didn’t spread.
“It started with chemotherapy and after that, it went to radiotherapy,” said Atinuke who documented her treatment and discovered that most patients’ inability to raise cost of treatment was responsible for the high mortality rate from cancer.
“We only have one radiotherapy machine in the whole of Nigeria which is supposed to be serving over 170 million people if anything happens. We used to have eight but seven are not functioning as we speak.
“I believe that with the right support from the right organisations, government and philanthropists, we can put these things in place and make life easier for everybody. Cancer is a scourge all over the world and lots of other countries are prepared to fight it. Nigeria is the least prepared to fight cancer. Our doctors are really trying but unfortunately, there is nothing for them to work with. After going through all that and with the grace that God gave to me to survive, I couldn’t keep quiet.”
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Charly Boy, others protest secrecy of National Assembly’s budget
Charles Oputa (aka Charly Boy) led hundreds of protesters to the National Assembly yesterday to demand public disclosure of the budget of the Federal lawmakers.
The protesters also demanded that immunity from criminal procedure against the President, Vice President, governors and deputy governors be removed from the constitutional.
Besides, the protesters, under the aegis of Office of the Citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, backed the anti-corruption crusade of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
It insisted that all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), including the Legislature and the Judiciary, be subjected to the Treasury Single Account (TSA) to curb wastages and corruption in government.
To reduce the burden of governance, the protesters said the Senate be scrapped with the controversial constituency intervention projects.
Charly Boy, who said corruption had robbed Nigerian youths of their future, noted that death penalty should be introduced to check corrupt public office holders.
The entertainer assured that his group would not relent in protesting what he called the gross injustice against Nigerian youths until positive commitments were obtained from the lawmakers.
He said: “I was happy that some youths are doing what young people should do. I am just here to encourage them to take their rightful place in the society.
“I have also advised them on the need to go back to the drawing board and come out massively because this is a cause for the few men and women of integrity left in Nigeria to come and speak out against this oppression.
“I see that most of the youths these days are just handicapped by the great poverty, unemployment and uncertainty of tomorrow. This is because we have a government that does not work; we have a government that cannot arrest corruption.
“I am here to encourage them because when next we come here, the whole place will be filled up. This is a movement. I am telling young Nigerians that if they do not do something about their future, their future has been stolen.
“So, if you don’t fight to retrieve it, you will die for nothing in this country. There will be nothing for you, if you don’t agitate.
“I am here to encourage that culture of agitation, the culture of standing up for your bloody rights because nothing will change until you do so.” -
‘Make corruption a treasonable offence in Nigeria’
Maverick activist, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, on Thursday, urged that corruption should be made a treasonable offence for it to be adequately tackled.
He made the call during a news conference put together by the “Occupy Unlimited” group, a civil society group that advocates good governance and corruption-free society.
Charly Boy, who is the National Coordinator of the group, said “corrupt leadership has been killing ordinary Nigerians slowly and steadily over the years.
“It is time to properly define it as ‘murder in disguise’, and treat as a treasonable offence against our dear country.
“Over 180 million people are surviving at the mercy of few politicians who have mastered the art of creating division among her own people through religion, ethnicity, corruption, and frivolous issues.”
According to the social activist, a death penalty should be introduced for all politically-corrupt persons in Nigeria if the nation really wants to be lifted out of economic hardship.
He noted that countries such as China and Pakistan were striving better because they decided to make corruption a crime that deserved capital punishment.
He advised that the immunity clause in the Nigerian constitution be reviewed, adding that “corruption is hiding under the immunity clause to loot and plunder.”
Charly Boy explained that the Occupy Unlimited Group will on Nov. 15 stage a peaceful protest in the Federal Capital Territory against corruption.
He emphasised that the protest was to tell political leaders at all levels that they must be accountable and selfless in their service to the fatherland.
“This is a process of holding politicians accountable not only to their promises but, in their service to the Nigerian nation.
“The mass protest will begin at the Unity Fountain in Abuja down to the National Assembly.
“We are a coalition of ordinary Nigerians from different parts of the country, with no political affiliations; we believe in the interest of our country.
“We also believe strongly in the fight against corruption by President Muhammadu Buhari.”
Mr Retson Tedheke, a co-convener of the conference, said the group was also advocating for a unicameral legislature for Nigeria to reduce the cost of governance.
He noted that Nigeria’s democracy was one of the most expensive in the world, adding that this was no longer sustainable in the midst of the economic recession that brought hunger in the land.
“Lawmakers must begin a process of reducing the Bi-Cameral Legislature to Uni-Cameral Legislature.
“Let them initiate the process of a referendum to review the Constitution, specifically with the aim of Scrapping the Senate.
“We also demand that the Anti-Money Laundry Bill be debated and passed immediately, with full support to the President to ensure that corruption is eliminated from our country.”
Tedheke added that it was also imperative for legislators to ensure that their budget, running cost and other expenditures is made open to the public.
He stressed the need for transparency, accountability and effective monitoring of Federal
Government expenditure, the NASS and all agencies of government to ensure that everything went to
the Treasury Single Account (TSA).“We need all Nigerians to give their voice in this call to have a national rebirth.
“Every Nigerian will not be on the street of the FCT, but let us all support this initiative,
irrespective of a tribal and religious divide.” -
Charly Boy to lead protest to NASS, other govt agencies
Former president of Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Charles Oputa, aka Areafada, has expressed plan to lead a protest to the National Assembly and other arms of government perceived to be failing in their constitutional mandates.
He described the would-be protesters as a coalition of ‘ordinary people with no political affiliations but believers in the paramount interest of our country as well as the capacity of President Muhammadu Buhari to lead us in the right direction.”
The radical entertainer revealed through a bulk online message, Tuesday, that the Occupy protest tagged #OCCUPYNASSUNLTD will hold on November 15, 2016, from Unity Fountain to the National Assembly, Abuja by 10am.
In an eight paragraph piece, Charly Boy, who is the coordinator of the protest said: “In the life of every human being, there comes a moment when we must make a stand for that which matters. Nigeria is a country that is richly blessed with Natural Resources and at the same time, a country that is cursed with Bad leadership and sustained political criminality. When 180 million people are at the mercy of 180,000 politicians; who have mastered the act of creating division among her own people through Religion, ethnicity, corruption, trivialities and frivolous issues; we know that our country, future and progress need a new breed of Hungry, Angry and Vexed Coalition of the Willing to ensure that the Change we seek is not a mirage but a reality necessary for real Nation Building.”
He described the planned series of mass protest as a journey to self-realization through #OCCUPYNASSUNLTD; #OCCUPYRMAFC; #OCCUPYEFCC and #OCCUPYUNLTD for all agencies of Government that are failing the people in the Executive, Judiciary and Legislative.
“We have dedicated ourselves to the Struggle of realigning the mind-set of our People and the Looting Politicians in Nigeria; We have begun to initiate the process of holding Politicians accountable to not only their promises but, the service to the Nigerian Humanity. The battles for the heart and soul of the Nigerian State is not going to be easy; it is bigger than the Individual in us and will be fought better by the Collective Engagement and the undying capacity of the Average Nigeria to key into a force of good that has so far eluded us,” he said.
According to Charly Boy, “Every Local Government and State of the Nigerian Federation is feeling the impact of decades of a wasteful culture and recent years of Mindless looting in Government. Something must have to change, or the future we seek will be lost to the today we ignore. How do we become a coalition of Brave comrades? How do we become a people with the Zeal and Desire to see a Better Nation? How do we connect with the poor, hungry and angry Nigerian on the Streets to demand real Positive change from Politicians?
“How do we move our country forward by being forward thinkers without recourse to what this country must do for us all? What happened to the Nigeria of our fathers and fore fathers? Why have we lost the desire for good and have all embraced the insanity of individualism that has corrupted our Humanity?”
He said although every Nigerian cannot be on the street of the FCT, people could show support in other forms.
“We Need food for protesters; We Need Water; We Need Breakfast; We Need Mats; We Need Mobile Toilets; We Need Canopies and Tents; We Need Medical Supplies; We Need Protesters to be Transported from all across the country; we Need anything that will support this eternal struggle for the good of Nigeria,” he said.
Continuing, the entertainer said: “Change is Hard; Change is difficult; But it is the only constant in our Humanity. It is time to become fearless; It is time to become comrades in struggle for good governance; It is time to make a stand and fight for your country to be better. The pains, hunger and suffering in the Nigerian States is becoming a ticking time bomb. The future we are afraid off is gradually become our new reality daily. To stop the future where the poor will have no food to eat but the rich is what we are fighting against. Our nationalistic engagement to help PMB root out corruption, impunity and mindless political criminality out of the Nigerian Polity is in need of a helping hand; This movement is appealing to the better nature of the Nigerian; it is in need of silent heroes and good people; this movement need men and woman who are capable of giving something for the good of their country. This why we need you; we are asking that you give for the interest of your country, not only that, we are asking that you give to make an impact in this move to drive the Nigeria narrative strongly and positively. We are your everyday buddy; we are your partners in good governance and selfless commitment to the Nigerian Cause.
“Let it be known that when comrades stood for what is right and stood for the interest of this country, that you stood with whatever contribution you have to make this nation great again. This is the heart of the movement; we are citizens who are determined to change the country for the good of all. This Movement needs you and your country will appreciate your effort towards making this project a success.
“I am awaiting your commitment towards moving your Nation forward. It is our struggle; it is our war and it is our hopefulness.”
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Charly Boy advises single mothers
Popular entertainer, Charles Oputa, aka Charly Boy has drawn from his wealth of experience to advise Nigerian female folks on social media.
Charly Boy who is in his 60s, said in his post on Tuesday, April 19 that he was concerned about the struggles of single mothers to provide for their families, and advised them to avoid men who were unwilling to shoulder the responsibility that comes with being men, saying they should “shun irresponsible men,” if they really wanted to be happily married.
Decrying the dearth of ‘real’ men (and women), in the true sense of the word, the Area Fada, as he is fondly called posited: “They don’t make men like they used to anymore; and women have become something else.” Continuing in a similar vein, he reminisced on times past when the sexes recognised their roles in marriage, and lived up to them, unlike what exists today. He said, ”Long time ago, men used to be very proud being the bread winners, the sole providers in the home but nowadays, many don’t mind being a house husband. Women used to be seen, not heard.”
He also wondered why some women were willing to put up with anything; staying in purposeless and/or abusive relationships in the name of being married. “Why do some women stay in a relationship that is not going anywhere, worse off, in an abusive, psychologically draining, and energy sapping relationship?”
He counselled women to eschew laziness, and seek any means of livelihood, as long as it was not illegal, or criminal. He wrote: ”You cannot afford to be lazy, don’t discriminate on the kind of job you can, or cannot do because of an illusionary class. As long as the job is not prostitution, drug peddling, and trafficking in any of the vices, you must give your best at what work you find to do to earn a living.”
Eschewing the faulty notion that single parents cannot raise responsible children, he stated that far from it, it only happened when their parents did not give parenting their best. He surmised, ”I’m sure you know that children raised by single parents only turn out poorly and terribly because those parents didn’t give their best or their best wasn’t good enough”
He concluded his post by reiterating his stand that he did not approve of women remaining in sham relationships, when in actual fact they were the sole parent in the home. He concluded, “I am strongly against a lady pretending to be under a man when in the real sense, though her man is not physically demised, she’s the only parent in her home.”
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I gave up an oil industry job for music, says Charly Boy
Charles Chukwuemeka Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy is no stranger to controversy in Nigeria. What might be news is that this son of a former high court judge drew the ire of his eminent father when he chose to tread the unbeaten path of being a musician.
Speaking to The Nation, the Area Fada said, “I returned to the country in the early eighties, after my studies in the United States where I bagged a degree in Mass Communications, to a job with the Public Relations department of a major oil company in the country. Unfortunately, I was not interested in a nine-to-five job, so I declined the offer. My father was livid, and could not fathom why on earth I would choose to throw my life away by pursuing a career in music. No one in my family was involved in entertainment.”
Unwilling to depend on his father for sustenance after graduating from the university, ‘His Royal Punkness’, as he has come to be referred to, proceeded to take up residence in his country home.
“My father was based in Lagos at the time, leaving our Oguta home vacant, so I happily took up residence there as I would not have to pay rent. I thereafter set up a production studio. Unfortunately, business was not very buoyant as Oguta is out of the way to major Eastern Nigerian towns,” he reminisced.
It was a very hard time, so hard that his wife Diane had to leave the country back to the States to get a job to send money to sustain the family.
He recounts how, inspired by the late Tina Onwudiwe, he moved over to Lagos where his career began to take shape.
“Tina magnanimously paid for an apartment for me in Gbagada. I was overjoyed! I was already almost beginning to lose hope as to the wisdom of my decision to pursue music as a career, but not long afterwards, my album Nwata Miss dropped in 1985 and it was a big hit,” he said.
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Charly Boy out with Talk Junction
Eccentric artiste, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has launched a new radio programme tagged Talk with us.
The show which will air every Saturday by 10:30 am on the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) network will see Oputa, and Koko talk about different issues.
“Talk Junction, is an interactive phone in programme where we X-ray the way we live and proffer possible solutions to social issues by inspiring people towards an improved lifestyle,” Charly Boy posted on his Facebook account on Wednesday.
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Charly Boy drums up support for Majek Fashek
VETERAN Nigerian singer, Charles Oputa, aka Charly Boy, has called on Nigerians to show more love and support to the plight of his colleague, Majekodunmi Fasheke, popularly known as MajekFashek.
In a write up titled Healing Our Rain Maker, the Area Fada argues that the worst thing people can do is stand and watch when they see someone struggling in agony, especially when their pain is self-inflicted.
Describing Majek as a multi-talented artiste of international repute, Oputa said that his hit rendition,Send down the Rain still sends shivers down our spines anytime it is played.
“It used to be my favourite song from his album and till today, I can sing his lyrics many years after.He brewed that song right in my studio in Oguta, in the seven months he spent with me there as an in-house producer,” Charly Boy wrote.
Oputa cited an example of himself as a young man who experimented with drugs quite early.“But seeing what it did to my relatives, friends and the people I had loved from afar, I knew it wasn’t for me. It was only by His grace that I freed myself from the calamity waiting to happen.
“Some of us are not so lucky to imbibe self-discipline for things that are destructive to us, but then, that doesn’t necessarily make those of us better human beings for being able to.” he wrote.
“MajekFashek is our own, let’s see how we can heal our rain maker who needs all the love and understanding he can get right now. I know quite a few well-meaning Nigerians have contributed to his rehabilitation, but I still encourage the few who are determined to see the healing of this great musician become reality,” he further stated.