Veteran entertainer and activist, Charles Oputa, widely known as CharlyBoy, has expressed deep satisfaction with the life he has lived, saying he harbors no regrets for choosing a unique and unconventional path. As he celebrated his 75th birthday, the outspoken septuagenarian reflected on his journey, particularly his commitment to activism and rebellion against societal expectations.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, CharlyBoy shared that although he once aspired to join the priesthood, he left the seminary after a year, realizing that his calling lay elsewhere. Describing himself as the complete opposite of his late father, the renowned jurist Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, CharlyBoy said he was determined from an early age to forge his own identity and not follow the well-laid path his father envisioned for him.

He explained that his decision to pursue music and embrace the street culture was a radical shift from the legal career his father desired. After studying in the United States, he returned to Nigeria and turned down a lucrative job opportunity at Mobil Oil and Gas arranged by his father. That choice sparked a rift between them that lasted for many years. Still, CharlyBoy insists he has no regrets, believing that every experience, even the painful ones, contributed to his growth.

He credits his upbringing for instilling in him values of humility, simplicity, and contentment. “I am not driven by money. My father wasn’t rich, but he lived within his means and taught me the true essence of life,” he said. For his 75th birthday, CharlyBoy opted for a quiet day in bed, receiving calls and messages, and simply reflecting.

He also revealed plans to release his memoir titled “999”, which chronicles the highs and lows of his life, including how he rejected his parents, fought personal demons, and went through four marriages before turning 36.

CharlyBoy is a household name in Nigeria’s entertainment and activism spaces. A former host of The Charly Boy Show, ex-judge on Nigerian Idol, and past president of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), he has used his voice to champion the rights of the underprivileged. From marching with military pensioners in the ’90s to leading the 2017 Our Mumu Don Do protest demanding accountability from then-President Buhari, CharlyBoy has remained a fearless advocate for justice and societal change.