1 Aug 2026

Honouring Two Extraordinary Nigerians: Charly Boy and Newton Jibunoh Yesterday, July 31, I attended the launch of 999: The Memoir of Charly Boy in Lagos. Charly Boy is one of those people many may easily dismiss because of his appearance or the public persona he projects. But beyond that is Charles Chukwuemeka Oputa, a thoughtful intellectual, a compassionate human being, and a patriot deeply committed to building a better society for all. What particularly inspired me was the work he is doing through his foundation to promote men’s health. Having survived prostate cancer himself, he has chosen to transform his personal experience into a campaign for awareness, early detection, and improved access to treatment. Good health remains one of the most critical foundations of a productive and progressive society, and I am committed to supporting this noble cause. Today, August 1st, I visited the newly established Newton Jibunoh Centre and Museum in Asaba, the brainchild of Newton Jibunoh. Although I was unable to attend his Mandela Day event, themed “Poverty and Inequality Are in Our Hands,” I considered it important to pay him a visit. My dear Father, Newton Jibunoh, remains one of Nigeria’s living icons. He is a man whose stories, experiences, and wisdom can keep you listening for hours without fatigue. His remarkable road expeditions across the Sahara Desert to London, beginning in 1967 and repeated in 2000, 2008, and subsequent years, are enduring testimonies to courage, resilience, determination, and an adventurous spirit. His extraordinary journeys also remind us of a period when travelling across Nigeria and beyond was far safer than it is today. Listening to him always leaves me reflecting on how much we have lost as a nation and how much work still lies ahead if we are to rebuild a secure, united, and prosperous Nigeria. A New Nigeria is POssible! -PO