Nigerian legendary singer Charles Oputa, better known as Charly Boy, has reacted to the renaming of his bus stop to his colleague, Olamide Baddo.
Kemi Filani reported that the Bariga Local Council Development Area had renamed the popular Charly Boy Bus Stop in Lagos after Indigenous rapper and music executive Olamide. The Chairman of Bariga LCDA, Kolade Alabi David, announced this during the inauguration of some infrastructural projects in the LCDA on Friday, July 25th. He stated that following the renaming of Ajidagan Street to Olamide Adedeji Baddo Street, Charly Boy Bus Stop will now be called Baddo Bus Stop.
In a lengthy post on his Instagram page, Charly described the change as interesting and reminded the public that one can rename a place but can’t rename a legacy or erase the spirit.
He stated that it isn’t about a bus stop but about the fear of a boy who refused to bow, a man who challenged the oppressors, and a man who didn’t beg the system to be accepted.
He noted how only timid people change the name like it can was away their shame. The legendary icon said the bus stop wasn’t given by politicians but was named by people he fought for, walked with and empowered.
Charly Boy further declared that they could change the name but could never kill legacy, as his name is carved into the history of Nigeria.
“Dem say dey don change the name of Charly Boy Bus Stop.
Hmmm. Very interesting.
But let me remind you of something simple:
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, and the entire Lagos know the truth.
That 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.
They may change the signboard.
They may pretend not to remember.
But let me remind them Area Fada no dey Finish.
He didn’t need to sing sweet songs to be accepted.
He didn’t need to wear an agbada to beg for titles.
He’s a movement. He’s an institution. He’s a warning.
So to all the small minds and timid hearts
You may change the name…
But you will NEVER kill the legacy.
This name, Charly Boy, is carved into the history of Nigeria,
Written boldly in the streets of Bariga,
Etched into the minds of those who still dare to question authority.
Legacy isn’t on a signboard.
It’s in the hearts you changed, the voices you awakened, and the fear you planted in corrupt souls.
So go ahead, change the name.
But remember
You can’t change the truth. You can’t erase fire. Area Fada no dey finish.