Veteran entertainer and convener of the Our Mumu Don Do movement, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has likened Lagos to New York City in the United States, describing it as a "no man's land" where people from different ethnic groups come together. This statement was made during an interview on News Central TV, where Charly Boy expressed his displeasure over the recent renaming of a popular bus stop from his name to Olamide Baddo, named after renowned hip-hop artist Olamide Adedeji ¹.
Charly Boy's Perspective on Lagos
Charly Boy emphasized that Lagos, being the country's first capital, is a melting pot of diverse cultures and ethnicities. He stated, "This is our first capital, so it has people from different ethnic groups who make Lagos really bubble. If you are looking at it from that perspective, yes it feels like America, the melting pot of lots of immigrant people." He further likened Lagos to New York, saying, "From that perspective, in terms of people coming together, it is really a no man's land, it's like New York. Lagos is like New York of Nigeria" ².
Criticism of the Lagos State Government
Charly Boy also criticized the Lagos State Government for "being jittery" and "acting out tribal politics." This criticism suggests that he believes the government is prioritizing tribal interests over the needs of the broader community ¹.
Implications of Charly Boy's Statement
Charly Boy's statement highlights the diversity and complexity of Lagos as a city. His comparison of Lagos to New York City underscores the idea that Lagos is a hub of cultural and economic activity, where people from different backgrounds come together to create a vibrant and dynamic community ³.
