Charles Oputa, the iconic entertainer known as Charly Boy, has opened up about a surprisingly dark chapter in his life that few people knew about.
The 74-year-old legend admitted that losing the bus stop named after him hit him so hard emotionally that he had to flee the country just to keep his mental health intact.
The controversy over changing Charly Boy Bus Stop to Baddo Bus Stop affected him far more deeply than anyone realized.
What seemed like a simple administrative decision to outsiders felt like a personal blow that nearly sent him spiraling into depression.
“Life is a bitch, then we die. I had to escape Nigeria just to save my sanity,” he said with his characteristic bluntness.
Feeling overwhelmed, Charly Boy packed his bags and headed to Europe to stay with his brother, singer Dr Alban.
His plan was simple: take three weeks away from everything to clear his head and find some peace. But even that didn’t go according to plan.
“I was supposed to spend three weeks recharging and rebooting.
But after just ten days, my body started itching like I had forgotten something back in Nigeria – the same place that was giving me sleepless nights.
I couldn’t even complete two weeks before I ran back home,” he explained.
Despite making light of the experience by joking that it felt like some kind of spiritual pull, Charly Boy was serious about the mental health struggle he faced.
He used his experience to shine a light on how real and hidden depression can be in Nigeria.
“Depression is a real thing. I was lucky enough to take a break and come back refreshed.
But how many people have that kind of privilege? Some people don’t even have anywhere to run to.
They’re stuck with their pain, smiling on the outside but bleeding inside,” he said.
The veteran activist, who calls himself Area Fada, wants other Nigerians to know that admitting mental health struggles isn’t a sign of weakness. He’s encouraging people to speak up and get help when they need it.
“If Area Fada can admit that sometimes life chokes him, you don’t need to pretend either. Speak up, breathe, find your way back.
Life will still test us, but let’s not let it break us. My people, here’s wishing you a happier month. It shall be well with us,” he said.
