Veteran musician and media personality Charles Chukwuemeka Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has spoken candidly about his struggles with mental health.
The 75-year-old made the revelation in a heartfelt Instagram post on Tuesday, explaining that his recent trip to Europe was an attempt to “reboot and recharge.”
According to him, the visit to his friend, musician Dr Alban, was originally planned to last three weeks. However, he returned to Nigeria after just ten days.
“Na so I come japa go Europe go visit my bro Dr Alban. I was to spend three weeks recharging and rebooting. U can’t imagine, only after 10 days body begin scratch me, like say I forget smtin for Nigeria, the same environment wey dey give me sleepless nights sometimes. Couldn’t even do 2wks complete I don run come bk,” he wrote.
Charly Boy admitted that he often finds life overwhelming, describing depression as a “real matter.” He expressed gratitude for being able to take a break but acknowledged that many Nigerians do not have the same privilege.
“But here’s the truth, depression na real matter. I was lucky enough to take a break, step away and come back refreshed, holding on to the Oyibo breeze wey bin blow me. But how many people get that kind of privilege?” he asked.
He further stressed the importance of breaking the silence around mental health, urging people not to see it as weakness or taboo.
“We need to start talking about these things. Mental health no be joke, e no be weakness, e no be taboo. Na reality.
“If Area Fada fit admit say sometimes e dey choke, you too no need to pretend. Speak up, breathe, find your way back. Life go still test us, but make we no let am break us,” he concluded.
Charly Boy’s openness adds his voice to the growing call for more awareness and conversations around mental health in Nigeria, particularly in a society where such issues are often stigmatized.
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