Veteran entertainer Charly Boy has explained why former President Olusegun Obasanjo jokingly referred to him as an “ashawo” during the London launch of his memoir, 999.
Obasanjo, who hosted the September 29 event in London, was seen in a video teasing Charly Boy with several names, including “thief,” “barawo,” “drug addict” and “ashawo.”
The comments generated reactions online, with some Nigerians questioning why the former president used the term.
Charly Boy explains Obasanjo’s ‘ashawo’ comment
Reacting to the viral video in a post on X, Charly Boy said Obasanjo was not accusing him of prostitution.
He explained that the remark was part of the familiar relationship he shares with the former president.
Charly Boy said he has been called several names over the years because of his unconventional lifestyle and public personality.
He noted that people have described him as a rebel, a “mad man” and a “jaga-jaga boy,” among other names.
According to him, Obasanjo has now added “ashawo” to the list.
The entertainer said he viewed the public teasing as a sign of the former president’s affection for him.
Charly Boy recalls Obasanjo’s praise
Charly Boy also recalled that Obasanjo had previously spoken positively about some aspects of his life.
He specifically mentioned the support he gave his late father, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, as well as his relationship with his mother.
He said the former president had previously described him as a “jagajaga boy” while acknowledging the care he showed towards his father.
Obasanjo also wrote the foreword to Charly Boy’s memoir, 999, and hosted its Nigerian launch before attending the London event.
Charly Boy said these experiences informed his decision to take Obasanjo’s latest comments lightly.
He added that the former president could tease him publicly because of the level of familiarity between them.
While accepting the joke, however, Charly Boy made it clear that he did not agree with the “ashawo” description.
The entertainer’s comments have since added another layer to the widely shared video from the London memoir launch.
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