Unavoidable absence of Charlyboy from the Lagos-Okada rally; a case of ingratitude

Even though it is a known fact that Charlyboy, AKA, AreaFada rarely listens to advices because of his spontaneity in doing things and his passion towards certain goals, it is shocking to have learnt that he listened to the advice of his management team in the recent Okada protest where he was invited to champion the agitation of the Lagos branch of the Okada riders.
His New Wave Productions Media company that manages the brand has in a recent press statement given reasons why he was advised not to take part in the just concluded Okada rally in Lagos State. The press statement was signed by Adoyi Abah Ali
Details of the Press Statement below:

Unavoidable absence of Charlyboy from the Lagos-Okada rally; a case of ingratitude
We write to respond to the ongoing criticism from different quarters, particularly the Lagos state Okada’s Association and other affiliate bodies who took part in the just concluded Lagos-Okada protest against the Lagos State government for the ban placed on Okada in over 40 major roads in the state.
Lately, we have received calls from concerned Nigerians, asking us why the brand has remained mummed over the matter. In reasonable terms, we would like to respond by asserting that after having examined the nonchalant attitudes of the Lagos state Okada riders, coupled with the unimaginable ingratitude that characterize their union, as well as the factions and leadership insubordination, we resolved that the brand’s schedules and time were more precious than the Lagos-Okada rally.
Even as the brand and its managers do not subscribe to the ban on Okada, which will leave thousands of struggling Lagosians jobless and impoverished, we cannot align with a detached Association with such dysfunctional approach towards their own welfares.

In the light of the above, we would like to state that Charlyboy has in the past, shouldered different overwhelming responsibilities of the Okada people. Lagos has always been the point of reference, not only because of the population of Okada riders in the state, but also because of the visibility of the brand for over 20 years. Lagos no doubt was the cradle of the Charlyboy’s Okada phenomenon.
When the state government moved to ban commercial motorcycles from Lagos in 2002, Charlyboy was the only social activist who stood on their behalf to negotiate with the Government. His negotiation with key actors in government compelled the state government to rescind its decision. Hence, instead of banning Okada from the state, a big sensitization rally was held on Okada safety. Even though, few Lagos Okada riders have shown appreciation over his constant intervention in their matters, majority of the Okada riders have refused to see this, and have continued to allow the spirit of ‘Oliver Twist’ to use them.
It was his interest for the Okada riders, and his attempt to make the Okada business a more lucrative and reputable venture that he collaborated with the Simba Motorcycle to empower over 1000 Okada riders. The brand has parted with personal funds worth N100M over the years in his effort to empower Okada riders. In their normal character of taking almost everything for granted, they have never for ones been responsible for his flight tickets each time he goes out to join their rally anywhere across the country, neither have they been responsible for his hotel accommodation and feeding. His fight cuts across the country. Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Port Harcourt, and a host of other states have benefited from the Areafada’s gestures.
We would like to remind the Lagos branch of the Okada body who appear to have forgotten so soon, how over 500 Okada riders acquired their bikes on higher purchase through Charlyboy. We believe they could not have forgotten this so soon.
We would like to also remind the same Okada riders of the recent visit of the Areafada and some of the leaders of the Lagos State’s branch of the Association to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police’s office just 4 months ago. It was out of his love for the Okada people that he suspended his overseas’ trip and personally went to the commissioner to speak with him on the challenges of the Lagos state motorcyclists. After that day, many Okadas and their bikes were release from police custody.
On our part as the brand handlers and managers, we had made serious arrangements towards the success of the Lagos State’s rally. This is because we understand the feeling of the brand towards the Okada people around the country.



We would like to assert that due to the rally, Charlyboy’s tour to the United Kingdom was cut-shut and he returned even before the expiration of his tour, getting set to lead another very important segment of his constituency in a rally.
However, unfortunately, all the arrangements towards the involvement of the Areafada in the rally were being handled by some of their leaders who had assured that they were on top of the arrangement. We had high hope on them. Regrettably, they did not get back to us promised. Most disheartening was their nonchalant attitude towards the entire preparation. It was ironical, and a case of lack of commitment and ingratitude for the same people who were to get back to us on the possibility of the Areafada’s trip to Lagos to have called to confirm whether the Areafada was in Lagos. Even as mischievous as the caller sounded, it was ridiculous, and an indication of an unorganized leadership. We could have made an urgent arrangement for the Areafada’s trip, but the last call from the organizers clearly communicated to our team that the organizers of the rally as well as the leadership of the Okadas in Lagos are not truly committed to the course of the Okada people. We had used the development to envision what the rally was going to look like.
It was on this premise that management resolved that it was rather going to be a waste of the brand’s useful time to allow him set out on the journey despite his tight schedules.

We would like to aver that it was the highest level of indiscipline, selfishness and irresponsibility for the Lagos state branch of the Okada Association not to have afforded a round trip ticket of N60, 000 for Charlyboy to lead them in a protest they had considered the only available means and option to compel the Lagos state government to rescind its decision.
This singular act has communicated to us that the Okadas are not grateful for all that the brand has done for them in the past 27 years, hence we were left with the option of compelling the brand to stay away from the rally against his wish. We are happy that he listened to us.
Even though we were responsible for the absence of the AraeFada from the rally, the Lagos-Ikeja branch of the Okada Association must be blamed for our action, hence we plead that all questions regarding Charlyboy’s absence from the rally must be directed to the leadership of the Association.

We would like to reiterate that with what we experienced at the course of the preparation for the rally, there is the need for the Ikeja branch of the Okada Association to reposition and reorganize their leadership just for the progress of the Association.
On our part, we will continue to encourage the Areafada not to relent, and to keep his eyes on the welfares of the Okada people as this last action will not be considered a major reason to discard the constituency he has so much passion for. We therefore assure all Okada riders in Lagos and across the country to continue to rely on Areafada’s support as he is always ready to join them anytime he is called upon.
Thank you and God bless you.

Adoyi Ali, Charlyboy’s Press Secretary.

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Areafada by Charlyboy

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CHARLYBOY VISITS NIGERIAN TURKISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

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Heroes uncelebrated by Charlyboy

One pathetic thing that has happened during the weekend was the concert organized to raise fund for Meka who has been confided on his sick bed. One very important thing that I have noticed is the zeal and zest of our vibrant young people who have decided to save their own through a concert. I want to appreciate them for their effort. If ‘they’ cannot help us, at least we can help ourselves. That exactly was a repetition of our march to South Africa to save our sister, her blessed memory, Tyna Onwudiwe when I was still in charge of the affairs of the PMAN.
His concern
My major concern today is the way we tend to easily forget our entertainers. These guys have written their names in gold, but immediately they leave the scene, they are forgotten, simply gone with the waves. Must everything be named after our politicians? Must they owe everything in the country? What is our own benefit as entertainers? Don’t we possess the same rights? A few examples of this negligence will do.


CB cited examples from the past
The New Masquerade team had their good time only in the theatre or in the studio playing their roles. After the smiles and laughter, after the reconciliation they brought forth at the end of the civil war through their acts, the rest is history, as many people tend to forget about them. What about Elvis Ofor- Clarus Mgbojikwue of Ndil-Olumbe, Christy Essien Igbokwe, Apena, Claude Eke alias Jegede Sokoya, the Son of Idi of Idi-Araba ? In the case of Christy, her death was another platform for enriching self by her own artistes’ brothers and friends. What about Giringori Ekabogu of Ikot 4, the only poor man of Ethiopia who doubled as the director and the scriptwriter, but humbly assigned the role of a House Boy to himself? Giringigori brought out conspicuously the comical element embedded in the series. Today, what is left of the Honorable Poor man of Ethiopia is mere memories of his antecedents. No physical structures or monuments built to celebrate this great intellectual. His name only re- echoed after he died, and who knows if we would ever hear of him again?
Sam Okwaraji who died during a national assignment has just been forgotten like a chicken, so why blame the eagles if they now fly with chicken wings. That desired patriotism is gone today because death marks the end of that good record. Nobody will ever hear about you again.
Sam Loco Efe left the scene when the almighty death called; eventually, he left with that special smiles and laughter as the only gift. All we see today is the relics of his past, nothing else has been put in place to commend his roles in nation building. What about Ashley Nwosu and JT Tom West? It’s a pity we do not care to know how the families of these dudes are faring now.

His Advice
We must learn to invest in people while they are still here with us. This is the course I have decided to champion in order to live forever in the memories of others. The seed you sow in the lives of others is what makes life worth living, instead of engaging in lips services after the person had gone. My missionary journey this hour is to ensure that our past heroes are not swept away in the wave but to live for eternity in our memories. Support is what their families need.

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This Charlyboy’s Linda we must possess

I write in relation to all the questions that have been directed to my table regarding the supposed multiple character of the Areafada. I write to respond to the growing concern over the Linda’s character that will supposedly sit on the judges’ table of the Nigerian Idol. I write to talk about the ingenuity of Charles Oputa, the brand creator who has given us the essence of his existence, using different imageries in order to bring to bare the reality we seek. I write to also assert that unless you have the foresight of reading ahead of the book placed before you, thinking ahead of your head, and of course with the capacity to live ahead of your time, you will continue to wonder at every philosophy developed by the brand. His ways are not conventional. Charlyboy has his face covered with an imaginary mask, and until you have the mask unveiled professionally, you will continue to overwork your brain. My dear, take it easy before you run amok with all that talk of schizophrenia (mental disorder) because you obviously need indebt knowledge to get through to the other side of the Areafada’s life that you have little or no knowledge about. 

However, from an inside understanding of what the Charlyboy brand represents, I want to state that Linda as it is called is not a different character nor a separate entity from  Charlyboy brand. Linda is only an attitude, that emotion; that goodness personified. Linda is that individual who is closely associated with the emotion of a woman. Linda is domesticated. Linda is an interesting individual with all the ability to handle all domestic issues. Linda is a philosophy of the Charlyboy brand that tends to break away from the feminist theory that certain jobs are meant for the women and some others are reserved for the men. Linda is a philosophy that does not differentiate the duty of a wife from the duty of the man of the house. The philosophy is in agreement with the universal theory of “what a man can do a woman can do even better”; “invariably, what a woman can do, a man can do much better”.  Have you seen Charlyboy in the kitchen before? He is so domesticated that you will begin to mistake him for Lady Diane. The appearance is only a creation of that feminine picture in the mental faculty. The appearance does not really define in exactitude the message the brand tends to send through Linda. The lipstick, the pancake, and the eyelashes are not really the emphasis of the message; they are mere symbols. It goes far beyond all that paraphernalia. If you like, you can also refer to Linda as a message, a message that is against the feminist theory that depicts the sociological invisibility of women. To get his position straight, you must recall that one universal line of criticism of the feminists is that women are not present in the social analyses and social world of sociology. The language and analysis of classical sociologists is that of men, male activities, and experiences, and that of the parts of society dominated by males. Even till today, Nigerians assume that the social world is primarily the public world of male activities, the labour force, city life, and politics, and that women only dominate in domestic arena. Nevertheless, because of what he is set out to do; because of his departure from the norm as a lefty, he has created a platform and a philosophy to promote one of the indispensable areas in the woman's world that the men folks must emulate. It is as simple as this; that the men too can cook, take care of the children, and nurse their babies; that the women on the other hand can as well be resourceful and hardworking. She can equally go all out to struggle for the family if she has the capacity to that as long as there is an understanding. This is why Charlyboy can sometimes remain in Nigeria, taking care of the kids, while Lady D runs around for the family. Charlyboy is so close to his mum and his dad, contrary to most male children. Linda-that philosophy has imparted him to do so; the place of the man and the woman in the family according to the Linda philosophy is watertight, and cannot be totally separated, as any man who tries to separate same will have his family crashed. Instead of saying Linda is going to sit on the judge’s seat during the next Idol show, I would rather say peace, humility, kindness, love, caring, understanding and most importantly hope will occupy the seat even as the show is about to kick off. These are the basic qualities in an ideal woman, and these, all the judges must possess in order to find a way to encourage the youngsters who will set out with all their hope just to grab the opportunity that will be created for them through the Nigerian Idol musical contest. Linda is the philosophy that says that the woman’s presence dominates and overshadows all other persona. That obviously could be why he tries to bring Linda fought to the glare of the public for a better appreciation of the womanhood. 

We have all seen the philosophy of the brand from a gory and demonic perspective. We have winked our eyes in rejection and crossed our minds in acceptance, yet we have never appraised the situation from an artistic perspective. Imagine that you are an artiste, and just on stage to act out your role. Would you say that you only mounted the podium just to scare people with horror acts without a message?  I am not in doubt that many will continue to wallow in ignorance, and will refuse, even if they understand, to accept this reality. However, it cannot be disputed that messages of this nature are not meant for the feeble and corrupt minds, because the only thing you will pick out of the entire message and its attendant lessons is ‘evil’. Too bad, but  it’s still very good for the few who understand because “all creative people need something to rebel against, it’s what gives their lives excitement, and it’s creative people who make their fans and followers’ lives exciting”  Think about this! 

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"We don't have Python, Coffin in our house" Yvonne Oputa Opens up

You may not have heard so much about her, but she is a prototype of her father in terms of hard work and doggedness. In this interview, Yvonne Oputa, the first daughter of Mr. Charles Oputa(Charlyboy) has debunked the numerous rumours surrounding her father’s sexuality. She has also denied the rumour that her father sleeps in a coffin and has a python as a pet. Q: Let’s meet you. Ans: My name is Yvonne Mimi Optua, I am the Executive Director of New wave productions, I also manage The Taakra Group. We are into public relations, real estate, home décor to mention a few. Yes, am single now, but not in a hurry to make another mistake, I have a child, who is in the university now. She is already 18yrs. I really didn’t grow up with my farther; we only reunited some 13yrs ago or so. I am focused, I love to learn new things and I love people who inspire me, I have a good heritage and I’m happy most of the time. That is me. Q: How has the name Oputa, or Charlyboy helped you. Ans: Humm! Neither I nor any of my siblings carries it as a badge. We are proud of whose children we are but none of us plays it when we are prospecting for anything, because our dad from the get go has drummed it into our head, that for us to win his respect we must be able to stand on our own two feet. As soon as you are done with school, he will ask you what you want to do, and you will get his hundred percent supports to start whatever. I guess it’s part of his own way of reminding us not to ever take anything for granted and to early enough be able to stand on our own two feet. I can appreciate that, after all if you look at his life he is a self-made man and he will prefer each and every one of his children to depend on their hard work and creativity and not on him. We are all proud that we have a father like him but being his child is not an easy thing ooo, we try always to do our own thing and for each one of us, I know it’s by our own merit that we have made the small progress and success we have now, not just because he is our father, I guess in a way his training and influence has made us all very hard working and independent. Q: You said it is not easy being Charly Boy’s child, please explain. Ans: The moral obligation from the family side is very high not to talk about expectation from friends and peers who think one is swimming in money and sometimes when he pulls his stunts and he gets bad press, we sometimes suffer too, on his behalf. We all know him as a very spiritual and disciplined father and husband, the kind every child will be proud of, but when we read gossips of his sexuality and spiritually, it’s annoying because we know that’s not true and can never be true. At home, everybody is on a time table, you cannot do anything you like, you can never stay out past 8pm, you can never use swear words in the house, when some of my sibling where in school, you dare not come home with bad grades you. You can never get a penny from dad unless you work for it. All my sisters who are not yet married can never live on their own, unless they are in America. That is why some have decided to stay there, too many rules. But as long as you are obeying the rules you can ask for anything. For the boys, ones you are 24yrs, you are on your own; you must live in your own apartment. My dad is really old fashion and can be a bit igbotic sometimes, but one thing is for sure, regardless of all his rules and regulations, home is where his heart is, and we are happy in that knowledge. Q: What would you say you have learnt being charly boy’s daughter? Ans: I’ am not charly Boys daughter, Charles Oputa is my father I can’t say I like Chary boy that much even though I understand the character and what it was designed to do. From my father, Mr Charles Oputa, I have learnt to be contented with life, I have learnt from him the art of humility, my father is very humble person. I have learnt that life is not a bed of roses and that whatsoever we want out of life we must be willing to work tirelessly for it. I have learnt that there are no short-cuts. I have learnt to believe in myself; in fact that I can be whosoever I want to be as long as I am passionate about it and work hard towards it. I have watched my father change the lives of so many young people in this country, so I have learnt to be a bit more sensitive towards other people, so you can’t blame me if one of my requirements in a man is doggedness and courage; my Dad had the courage to be himself. Q: Do your friends tease you about your father’s eccentric behaviours and funny life style. Ans: Let me educate you, to begin with my Father is an entertainer and not a banker. The Charly Boy brand is synonymous with social justice and peaceful, nonviolent action for the protection of human rights and human dignity, since its very inception, it has developed a broad appeal with young people especially students, and the less privileged. The brand extols the virtues of individuality for ones future and creativity. The brand is a gift to Nigerian youths. The brand means different things to different people. While some will think he is wild and crazy a lot more people now know it is all a put on. It is called showbiz I guess… People must realize that Charly boy is a character and not a person. it’s like superman or Spiderman. After all, he had explained that the brand was created to shock and entertain ignorant and over-religious Nigerians out of their myopic ways. You know my father loves to push people’s buttons, and he gets tremendous kick from people’s reactions. Initially it used to worry me but when I kept seeing how it amused him, and how he will always try to outdo himself, I started to enjoy people’s reaction too. My father understands on one hand that they are people who will never understand, and believe me he doesn’t suffer ¬fools gladly¬- and on the other hand, he has built a cult followership that not even the government can ignore. He is an artiste, so if he is not eccentric who will talk about him. He has made his name from being Charly Boy so why should he stop now because a few people are still ignorant, well you can’t win them all. Q: How many wives does your father have and how many are you in the family? Ans: What do you mean how many wives does my dad have? He has been married to the same woman for 37yrs of his life or so, and she is our mother, end of story. You know her, Lady Diane Oputa. Yes my father was married before, but it didn’t work out until he met mummy Di, a great woman indeed, an angel to the family. They have stayed together all these years because they are two committed people. . Dad has over 40 children all over the place, but biologically we are eight, my elder brother is an Associate Professor in MIT, Boston-USA. We are four boys and four girls, but Dad has so many adopted children he takes care of, pays their school fees, sometimes he can just pick a child from the street and say, you guys come and meet your new brothers or sisters; he is simply that kind of person. Q: All the illuminati story, sleeping in a coffin, being gay, where is all that coming from? Ans: You tell me, sometimes it is the imagination of the people, I don’t know; my dad is still a Christian, but very deep into yoga and meditation. We don’t have a coffin in our house and we don’t have a python as a pet. But sometimes I blame him though, because he likes to act different roles. My Dad knows how to engage Nigerians. They are the ones looking for something to gossip about, So he sometimes generate these stories. I think, because it all fuels the bad boy swagger. The so called nude pictures were taken almost twelve years ago and in my book there was nothing nude about the pictures which were taken BY my Debbin and Lady D directing, so?. Dad can be a bit vain sometimes. I understand that; because when you work as hard as he does, to keep in shape, you can’t help but be a bit of a show off sometimes. At his age, he is very fit. As for his sexuality, people have forgotten how Charly Boy started. He started with that feminine character. He used to wear lipsticks and makeup, so it didn’t start today. Then, people use to compare him with British Boy George, so what’s the big deal. Our grandparents are not complaining, mummy Di is not complaining, we the children know who our father is, even though sometimes we wish he tone down his creativity, so I don’t see why people are gulping panadol on his matter. Don’t mind my daddy; he is more normal than you. That is why when people meet him they are the most confuse; because who they see is soft spoken and gentle but who they read about is a big radical and rascal. I guess he enjoys the attention sha. Q: When will you marry again? Ans: When it is time and I meet the right person. Q: Why did your previous marriage fail? Ans: Nobody’s business. Q: People say you are emotional and passionate just like your father, what would you say. Ans: like Dad will say, an apple can’t fall too far from its tree, so we all have bits of him, that’s our DNA, it is strong. Yes we usually don’t have time for nonsense or rubbish, but Dad is softer except when you piss him off, then you will be welcomed by his other side. Q: There is a strong bond between you and your father, what’s the secret. Ans: I worked hard to earn his respect; he knows that whatever I set my mind on, it’s already done. He knows I will never give up on my dream or on my goals. He knows I take care of business. Aside that, the family is my Dads backbone, my grandparents live with us, and I’m inspired watching him take care of them and the family, I am proud of the love we all share. Q: You have a daughter who is already in the university abroad, what if her father comes calling, will you accept him back? Ans : We will cross the bridge if I get to it

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