Society Gist Editor
Ude Emmanuel
Veteran entertainer and activist, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has fired back at the Lagos Local Government authorities following the quiet renaming of the iconic Charly Boy Bus Stop in the Ojodu-Berger area of Lagos. The action, which many have described as controversial and disrespectful, has sparked a wave of public reactions and triggered a fiery response from the maverick musician himself.
In a strongly worded social media post on Saturday, Charly Boy addressed the issue head-on, accusing the local government of attempting to erase a legacy that transcends mere signposts.
“You can remove my name from a bus stop, but you can never kill my legacy,” he wrote. “My impact lives in the hearts of millions, not on street signs. You can’t silence history with a paintbrush.”
Charly Boy, who has long been known for his radicalism, civic activism, and unapologetic style, went on to describe the renaming as a petty political move rooted in ignorance and fear of his enduring influence on the Nigerian consciousness.
The now-renamed bus stop, once known simply and famously as Charly Boy Bus Stop, became a cultural landmark over the years due to the entertainer’s popularity and grassroots influence. Although not officially named after him by the government, the spot earned the moniker organically through public usage and association. For decades, commuters, traders, and drivers used it as a key reference point in Ojodu-Berger, giving the name an almost permanent place in local parlance.
But reports emerged this week that the signage at the location had been replaced without public notice, sparking outrage from fans and Lagosians who viewed the act as an affront to cultural memory and public sentiment.
Charly Boy didn’t mince words, suggesting the move was an attempt to “rewrite cultural history by those who have contributed nothing meaningful to it.” He emphasized that true legacy is built on deeds and not street signs, declaring, “Long after you’ve removed every board with my name on it, the people will still call it Charly Boy Bus Stop.”
Public reaction has been swift, with many Nigerians, especially on X (formerly Twitter), voicing support for the entertainer. Hashtags like #CharlyBoyLivesOn and #OjoduStillCharlyBoy began trending, as netizens called for the restoration of the original name or at least an official explanation from the Lagos authorities.
While the Lagos LG council has yet to release a formal statement on the renaming, observers suggest the move may be part of a broader rebranding or development effort in the area. Still, critics argue that such efforts should respect the cultural significance and history behind long-standing place names.
For Charly Boy, however, the message is clear: his legacy is not bound by street names but by decades of public service, protest, and cultural contribution.
“They may control the signposts,” he concluded, “but I control the story. And the people — they never forget.”
Whether or not the bus stop’s new name will stick remains to be seen. But one thing is certain — Charly Boy’s defiant voice and legacy aren’t fading anytime soon.
