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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo explains his admiration for Charlie Boy despite initial reservations
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has shared the reasons behind his admiration for entertainer Charles Oputa, known as Charlie Boy, despite initially being put off by his unconventional dressing style. Obasanjo, in an interview on the Before Tomorrow Comes Podcast, recounted his close relationship with Charlie Boy's father, the late Supreme Court Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, whom he greatly admired. Initially, Obasanjo was critical of Charlie Boy's "jaga-jaga" appearance, finding it incongruous with his father's polished image. However, his perception shifted dramatically when he witnessed Charlie Boy's devoted care for his ailing father. Obasanjo noted that Charlie Boy's dedication to his father, and later his mother, surpassed any expectations based on his eccentric style. He came to understand Charlie Boy's unique presentation as part of his comedic and entertainment persona. Obasanjo, who wrote the foreword for Charlie Boy’s memoir, 999, now views the entertainer's "jaga-jaga" style as an integral part of his identity and a means of making a living. He highlighted the relationship between Charlie Boy and his father as a lesson for parents to guide their children while allowing them to pursue their chosen paths, provided they are not criminal. Obasanjo also used the interview to advocate for tolerance and national unity, cautioning against ethnic generalizations.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
The Parliamentary Advocacy Centre PAC has criticized comments made by Fred Agbedi, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, regarding Nigeria's security situation. Agbedi had urged President Bola Tinubu to suspend activities related to the 2027 general elections and focus on tackling insecurity and economic hardship. PAC described Agbedi's remarks as politically motivated and unhelpful, stating that while concerns about insecurity are valid, political leaders should avoid turning national security into a partisan issue. In a statement, PAC President Itodo Vincent accused Agbedi of politicizing a sensitive national concern, arguing that Nigerians expect practical solutions and constructive engagement. PAC highlighted that Nigeria's security challenges, including banditry, kidnapping, and insurgency, predate the current administration and require sustained cooperation among all stakeholders. The organization called Agbedi's remarks and demands inappropriate, especially his suggestion that the President should resign if security challenges are not resolved within six months, deeming it reckless. PAC alleged that Agbedi's intervention appeared driven by political considerations for the 2027 elections rather than genuine concern for resolving the security crisis. The group stressed that security should not be a platform for political contestation and urged leaders to support measures for public safety and economic stability. PAC reaffirmed its support for the Federal G
Must ReadProtesters, led by the Take It Back Movement, have barricaded the Iwo Road area in Ibadan, Oyo State, to demand an end to insecurity in Nigeria and the release of 39 abducted schoolchildren and teachers. The protest, which began around 10 am, is a continuation of actions initiated by the human rights group since the abductions in the Orire Local Government Area in May. Juwon Sanyaolu, the National Coordinator of the Movement, stated that protests will continue until all abducted victims are freed, criticizing government officials for their perceived inaction while 46 students and their teachers remain in captivity. Sanyaolu emphasized the demand for freedom for all captives across Nigeria and urged state and federal governments to act, warning of continued mass action if their demands are not met.
A Russian drone strike set fire to a Panama-flagged cargo vessel, killing a 58-year-old Egyptian cook, according to Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba. Eight other sailors, including Turkish and Indian citizens, escaped on a life raft. The Ukrainian navy identified the vessel as the Turkish cargo ship Victress, stating it sustained significant damage and lost seaworthiness, and that Russia continues to violate international maritime law. Kuleba also reported Russian attacks on vessels under the flags of Palau and Belize, with no casualties. Separately, Russian attacks killed two people in Ukraine: one in Odesa from a missile strike and another in Zaporizhzhia from a drone attack, where three people were also wounded. In Russia, Moscow's four airports were briefly closed after drones were intercepted, and Russia's defense ministry claimed to have destroyed 301 Ukrainian drones overnight.