Charles Oputa, veteran Nigerian entertainer, popularly known as Charly Boy or Area Fada, has spoken about how he handled the controversy that followed the renaming of a Lagos bus stop originally named after him.
The bus stop, known as Charly Boy Bus Stop, was changed to Olamide Bus Stop. The renaming happened at a time when several streets and bus stops bearing Igbo names were reportedly changed to Yoruba names, sparking ethnic discussions.
At the peak of the controversy, Charly Boy had said that although the authorities could change the name of a bus stop, his legacy could not be erased.
In a new statement shared on his social media page, the singer explained that he decided to take a break for the sake of his mental health. He revealed that he travelled out of the country to avoid being overwhelmed by the situation.
He urged people to speak up, breathe, and find ways to cope with life’s pressures rather than allowing struggles to break them.
He wrote on his Instagram page: “Life is a bitch, then we die. After all the sillyness and pettiness of the Bus Stop shenanigans, i say make i take short break from our potopoto environment before Nigeria happen to me, didn’t want to drown in people’s madness. Oyibo people talk say, if u stay in shit long enough you will smell like one.
“Na so I come japa go Europe go visit my bro dr Alban. I was to spend 3wks recharging and rebooting. U can’t imagine, only after 10days body begin scratch me, like say I forget smtin for Nigeria, the same environment wey dey give me sleepless nights sometimes. Couldn’t even do 2wks complete i don run come bk. Sometimes e be like jazz.
“But here’s the truth, depression na real matter. I was lucky enough to take a break, step away and come back refreshed, holding on to the Oyibo breeze wey bin blow me. But how many people get that kind privilege?
“Some people no even get where to run to. Dem dey stuck with their pain, smiling on the outside, but bleeding inside. We need to start talking about these things. Mental health no be joke, e no be weakness, e no be taboo. Na reality. If Area Fada fit admit say sometimes e dey choke, you too no need to pretend. Speak up, breathe, find your way back. Life go still test us, but make we no let am break us.”