At the Champion Annual
Awards organised by the Champion newspapers which held on Saturday, March 14,
2026, at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Charly Boy, along side
many other eminent Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in their various
fields of endeavours, were celebrated and given various awards befitting of
their impact in society. Dignitaries such as the former governor of Ogun state,
Senator Gbenga Daniel, who was the chairman of the occasion, was present,
another former governor of Ogun state, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, was also in
attendance, along with Igbo billionaire business man, Obi Cubana and many
others.
Receiving the award, Charly
Boy thanked the organisers for the recognition, noting that he has an aversion for
accepting awards because a lot of them lack credibility. But not Champion
newspapers, he said with pride. He went on to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of the late
founder of Champion newspapers, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, to his life and his
career as an entertainer.
“He was my very first
fan,” he recalled. “When I had problems with my father and he came to the
village where I was at the time, he came to look for me and said, I heard you
and your father are having problems. I said, yes, we are. He said, okay, I’ll
see what I can do about it.”
Charly Boy added: “He
supported me in every way, financially, emotionally, he was a big supporter of the
Charly Boy brand and I will always be grateful to him for this,” he said,
drawing applause from the dozens of guests seated.
The Area Fada, who's planning for a big launch of his highly anticipated book titled. '999', in June this year, remains
one of Naija’s most enduring music icons. Not only has he paid his dues in the
entertainment industry, he has also built a reputation for himself as one of
the loudest and consistent voices of the masses. The Odudubariba, as he's
popularly called, has spent the last couple of decades speaking truth to power
and fighting tirelessly against injustice, relentlessly demanding good
governance from the Nigerian government and insisting our elections must be
free and fair. This enables him enjoy a cult following that spreads across all
regions of the country and transcends tribal and religious barriers.
Many
will still remember that Charly Boy, in the mid eighties, fought for the rights
of military pensioners during the Abacha led military dispensation by marching
to Defence Headquarters in Abuja to demand for the payment of their pension
arreas. He is also known to have fought relentlessly for the rights of the
Okada operators in the country. In recent time, he ceaselessly demanded
accountability from the late Muhammadu Buhari administration and the Bola
Tinubu government. It came as no surprise, therefore, when he emerged the
Champion of the Voiceless Nigerians. It is indeed an honour well deserved.
Charly
Boy Oputa may be in his 70s but he still has enough fire burning in him to last
him another 30 years. As he begins preparations to release his much awaited book strangely titled, ‘999’, a book selected few who have seen it describe as rich, deep and insightful, Charly Boy continues to leave his marks on the sands of time by
making phenomenal strides that leave many in awe of his depth of creativity and tenacity. '999,' according to the Area Fada, is a compilation of some his most compelling and defining experiences in life. The book also reveals Charly Boy's opinions and stand on a variety of intriguing issues and subjects that cut across politics, society and sensitive national matters. And yet, despite his very hectic creative engagements and grueling schedules as the founder and point man of the Charly Boy Foundation, which at the moment, is making intense efforts to help men with prostrate cancer, the Area Fada still never tires to hold the Tinubu administration accountable. Did we hear you say Nigeria needs a few more Charly Boys?
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