Why I Admire Charlie Boy Despite His ‘Jaga-Jaga’ Dressing Style – Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has revealed how his perception of entertainer Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charlie Boy, changed over the years, despite initially disapproving of his unconventional lifestyle and appearance which he described as ‘Jaga Jaga.’

Obasanjo spoke during an interview on the Before Tomorrow Comes Podcast published on YouTube on Thursday, where he reflected on his relationship with the Oputa family and his growing admiration for the entertainer.

The former president, who wrote the foreword to Charlie Boy’s memoir, 999, recounted how he first struggled to reconcile the entertainer’s eccentric image with the dignified personality of his father, late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.

“I was close to Charlie Boy’s father, Justice Oputa. I don’t have many friends or many people that I would say I admire, but late Justice Oputa was one Nigerian I could call a friend and one Nigerian I admired,” Obasanjo said.

He explained that he was initially shocked by Charlie Boy’s appearance, describing his dressing as “jaga-jaga,” especially because he expected the son of a respected Supreme Court justice to reflect his father’s polished image.

“Justice Oputa is decent, well-groomed, well-dressed, immaculate, and proud. And then I saw this man called Charlie Boy, Oputa’s son.

“He was dressed jaga jaga. I said, ‘Look, how can an adult dress like this?’ So I didn’t think much of Charlie Boy,” he recalled.

Obasanjo said his opinion changed after he visited Justice Oputa and found him staying in Charlie Boy’s home. According to him, he was deeply impressed by the level of care and devotion the entertainer showed his father.

“What struck me was Charlie Boy’s way of taking care of his father. If Charlie Boy had been ten times immaculately dressed, he would not have taken care of his father better than I saw him taking care of him,” he said.

The former military ruler noted that he later realised Charlie Boy’s eccentric appearance and behaviour were part of his entertainment identity and public persona.

“So, I got drawn to Charlie Boy. And then I realised that Charlie Boy’s jaga-jaga tricks, his mediated acts of being a comedian and making money out of the way he dressed, his manner of behaviour, it’s all part of comedy and amusement,” he added.

Obasanjo said his admiration for the entertainer deepened further after the death of Justice Oputa, noting that Charlie Boy also cared devotedly for his mother and gave her what he described as a dignified farewell.

He added that the relationship between Charlie Boy and his father offers important lessons for parents, especially on allowing children to pursue legitimate life paths that differ from parental expectations.

“How did his father tolerate him when he wasn’t going the way the father wanted him to go? If he would not be a lawyer, but definitely be a singer or a comedian, it would not be what the father would want. But he decided to choose a path for his life,” Obasanjo said.

The former president described Charlie Boy’s memoir as “fairly well written,” “fairly well produced,” and “a masterpiece” containing lessons on family, resilience and philanthropy.

The public presentation of the book is scheduled to hold in Lagos in July.

Obasanjo also used the interview to preach tolerance and national unity, warning Nigerians against stereotyping entire ethnic groups based on the actions of individuals.

“If you say the Yorubas are bad because of probably what one Yoruba man had done, or the Fulanis are bad because of what one Fulani man had done, then who’s good?” he asked.