From ‘Charly Boy’ to ‘Olamide Baddo Bustop’ — Here’s what Bariga residents think about sudden Change

By Adetayo Omotoyosi Adeolu

Some residents of Bariga in Lagos state have reacted to the renaming of Charly Boy bus stop, named after veteran entertainer, Charles Oputa, to Olamide Badoo bus stop by the Bariga Local Development Council Area, LCDA, in Lagos State.

The renaming of the bus stop recently generated reactions from netizens, including top politicians and has become a heavy topic on social media. In an interview conducted by News Central TV but monitored by The Lagos Voice, some residents in Lagos shared their thoughts on the issue.

Faith Okeke, a hairstylist who spoke to newsmen, said that she does not know CharlyBoy as a person, but acknowledged knowing only the bus stop. Faith queried the motive behind the name change, expressing her frustration with the confusion it has brought.

“It will really confuse so many bus drivers because most names are already on the map”, she said.

A public officer, Prince Osho Ladega, supported the renaming of the bus stop by the Bariga LCDC, saying the move will curtail the excesses of the Igbo residents in the state. He noted that the Igbo residents living in Lagos will not allow the naming of any streets after a Yoruba in their region.

He said, “They think they are powerful in Lagos, they think they are more than Yoruba,” he added.

On his part, Julius Alinamasunya, a printer, noted that the move is a misplacement of priorities. He said that the state has more pressing issues to deal with, such as the bad roads and the drainage systems that are unkempt. Julius also accused the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of dividing Lagosians and targeting Igbos with harsh policies.

“I see the changing of CharlyBoy bustop to Olamide bustop as the same thing that is still dividing us, which is tribalism”, he noted.

A trader, Abiola Sarah Balogun, however, stated that singer and rapper Olamide Badoo is more popular than Charly Boy. She stated that although she has not met Olamide personally, she has heard more about him from the streets. Abiola said that she suspects the government is trying to use Olamide’s name to capture the area.

“I know it is politics, so that during election time, people who know Olamide will come out”, she added.

Opeyemi Solomon, a tailor in Lagos, questioned the timing of the renaming of the bus stop, while the country is facing serious challenges.

“We don’t even have a better Nigeria, we don’t have a better Lagos, this is not the right time’”, he added.

The Lagos Voice reports that Charly Boy, while reacting to the sudden renaming of the bus stop, called the government’s move silly and petty.

He said, “The fact that my bus stop was renamed is neither here nor there. Whatever we can do to help Nigerians, this is what it is about. I just believe that was a little bit silly, a little bit petty because if it is about talking about what one has done for that community, go and verify, you can’t touch my records.”