A Memoir, a Tribute, and a Health Mission

On Friday, 31 July 2026, the Alliance Française de Lagos will host the public presentation of ‘999: The Memoir of Charly Boy’, a book that its author, Charles Oputa, describes as a raw account of a life built on courage, controversy and conviction. The event will be led by former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo, adding a notable political and historical dimension to the evening.

The gathering is framed not just as a book launch but as a tribute to the late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa—Charly Boy’s father and one of Nigeria’s most respected jurists—whose commitment to justice and the rule of law is woven through the memoir. At the same time, proceeds and attention will be directed to the Charly Boy Foundation’s work on men’s health, specifically prostate cancer awareness, screening and early detection.

Charly Boy, an entertainer, activist and television personality, has long been an unconventional voice in Nigerian public life. The memoir promises to trace his journey from being the son of a eminent judge to becoming a cultural icon who openly challenges societal norms, while also channeling the values of justice and integrity his father embodied.

Charly Boy’s Candid Narrative and the Oputa Legacy

Blending personal story with health advocacy

‘999’ is not a conventional celebrity memoir. It arrives with a dual purpose: to capture the identity struggles, rebellion and resilience of a public figure, and to raise the profile of men’s health issues that remain under-discussed in many Nigerian communities. The Charly Boy Foundation’s focus on prostate cancer gives the launch a practical social dimension, linking the author’s personal narrative to an urgent public-health message.

The Oputa name as a moral anchor

Justice Oputa’s legacy is a constant refrain in the book’s framing. As one of the country’s most influential legal minds, his reputation for integrity and fearless rulings provides a moral counterpoint to the author’s more rebellious public persona. The event thus becomes an intersection of law, culture and health—a rare mix in the literary calendar—and draws an expected audience that spans government, the judiciary, the diplomatic corps and the creative industries.