Nigerian entertainer cum activist, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy has visited the previous “Charly Boy Bus Stop” that was renamed to “Olamide Baddo Bus Stop.”
TheNewsGuru.com(TNG) reports that the council chairman, Kolade David, had in July announced the renaming of the bus stop, stating that the move was part of efforts to honour individuals who have brought pride to Bariga and contributed to Nigeria’s global image through their craft and contributions.
Sharing a video of his visit on social media, Charly Boy wrote: “My people, U can already guess where your Area Fada dey? Olamide Baddo Bus Stop! Yes o, na the same bus stop wey una sabi since… now na Baddo get am. Street na street, e no get age limit, abi?
“I just dey inside car dey laugh yeye people wey wan show Fada power. The Emperor of Nigeria go soon rename everywhere. Next thing, dem go name airport after one DJ, then call National Assembly ‘Comedy Central.’
“Yeye dey smell. For me? I still go dey fresh, I still dey cruise, and I still no send anybody wey no like am. Life too short to dey vex for bus stop name change, when I never chop. Dia Fathers.”
Charly Boy while reacting to the name change recently accused the government of acting out of fear and political insecurity, as he stressed that the renaming was not merely symbolic, but a calculated attempt to erase his decades of activism and social defiance.
Charly Boy further stressed that renaming the bus stop would not change his legacy of speaking truth to power and fighting for the oppressed. He added that the bus stop earned its name organically from the people, not from political patronage.
He said, “You can rename a place, but you can’t rename a legacy. You can replace the signboard, but you can’t erase the spirit. And you definitely can’t silence a voice that shook your tables for decades!
“This is not just about a bus stop; this is about fear. Fear of a boy who refused to bow. Fear of a man who challenged the oppressors. Fear of a man who didn’t beg the system to be accepted.
“So, what do timid people do? They change the name like e go wash away their shame.
“Bariga, Gbagada, the entire Lagos knows the truth, that the name Charly Boy Bus Stop was not given by politicians, it was named by the people, the same people ‘Fada’ fought for, walked with, and empowered.