In a moment charged with nostalgia and defiance, veteran entertainer and activist Charly Boy—fondly called Area Fada—recently revisited the Gbagada bus stop that once bore his name.
The spot, christened “Charly Boy Bus Stop” by residents in the early ’90s to honor his community service, has now been rebranded by Bariga LCDA as “Olamide Baddo Bus Stop” in tribute to rap icon Olamide Adedeji.
The original naming was no political favor—it was grassroots gratitude. Charly Boy’s history in the area included scholarships, aid to pensioners, and direct support to okada riders and students. To him, the renaming is less about location and more about legacy.
Taking to social media, he declared:“You can rename a place… but you can’t rename a legacy. You can replace the signboard… but you can’t erase the spirit.”
The change has sparked more than online chatter—it’s drawn legal fire. Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) deemed the move unconstitutional, stressing that only elected local governments can authorize such renamings. SAN Monday Ubani went further, warning that replacing names of non-Yoruba figures with Yoruba ones could fracture Lagos’ multicultural identity.
Charly Boy, however, is keeping his focus forward, urging Nigerians not to lose sight of bigger battles—like active participation in the 2027 elections. “A name change won’t build a better Nigeria,” he told Channels TV.
At a Glance:
Original Name: Community-named in the early ’90s for activism
New Name: “Olamide Baddo Bus Stop” by Bariga LCDA
Legal Pushback: Lawyers say unconstitutional, lacking consultation
Charly Boy’s Stand: Legacy over labels; focus on national progress
