"Na Dem Sabi" — Charly Boy Reacts as Lagos Government Renames Iconic Bus Stop After Olamide
The Lagos State government has stirred conversation online and offline after it officially renamed the popular "Charly Boy Bus Stop" in Bariga to “Olamide Baddo Bus Stop”, in honor of the iconic rapper and Bariga native, Olamide Adedeji.
The announcement came during the commissioning of several local projects by the outgoing LCDA Chairman, Hon. Kolade David Alabi, on Friday.
When asked to comment on the change, Charly Boy, whose real name is Charles Oputa, responded with a simple but loaded phrase:
“Na dem sabi.”
🔄 The Big Switch: Entertainment Icons Replace Street Names
The renaming exercise affected several key locations in Bariga, with a heavy tilt toward entertainers and sports personalities.
Here’s a snapshot of the major changes:
Charly Boy Bus Stop → Olamide Baddo Bus Stop
Ilaje Road → King Sunny Ade Road
Bariga Road → Bola Ahmed Tinubu Way
Community Road, Akoka → Babajide Sanwo-Olu Road
Ajidagan Street → Olamide Adedeji Street
Ifeanyi Street → Abolore Akande (9ice) Street
Ayodele Street → Tony Tetuila Street
Ilojo Crescent → Bukayo Saka Street
👥 Public Reactions: “This Is Political, Not Historical”
While some have praised the move as recognition of Olamide’s cultural impact and community roots, others say the change is politically motivated, undermining local knowledge and history.
A user on X (formerly Twitter), @OlaNaTrue, wrote:
“The bus stop was never officially named Charly Boy in the first place. Locals know it as Second Pedro. This renaming is a distortion of community history.”
Another added:
“Charly Boy gave the name to himself. The government never recognized it officially, so changing it isn’t even a big deal.”
Still, others took swipes at Charly Boy directly:
“Baddo is greater than Charly Wayray and his entire generation anyway.” — @OG_Beeperl
🧠 Opinion: Legacy Shouldn’t Be Wiped Away in Silence
This isn’t just a story about two famous names — it’s a bigger conversation about memory, respect, and the politics of space.
Whether or not Charly Boy had "official" rights to name a bus stop after himself, the location has become a cultural landmark for decades. Stripping that name, without community consultation or acknowledgment, feels dismissive.
Olamide certainly deserves every rose for putting Bariga on the map, but recognizing one icon shouldn’t erase another. It’s possible to honor both legacies — and build continuity, not competition.
✍️ Final Thoughts
Charly Boy’s “Na dem sabi” may sound passive, but it’s a seasoned response from someone who’s seen political tides rise and fall.
At the core of this issue is a question we all should ask:
Who gets to write our public history?
Is it the government… or the people who lived it?
What do you think?
Was the renaming fair, or does it rewrite history too casually?
#CharlyBoyVsBaddo #BarigaLegacy #NaijaStreetTalk
