When musician and activist Charly Boy returned to Nigeria from the United States in 1981, he claimed that Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the late President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, had helped him save his music career.
In honour of the late Ohanaeze Ndigbo President General, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 82, Charly Boy said as much.
Charly Boy claimed that after rejecting his parents for not encouraging him to pursue his musical goals, he met Iwuanyanwu in his hometown of Oguta and was given an unexpected $8,000 present. He continued by saying that this kind deed allowed him to open a studio in his hometown and launch his career.
He thanked Iwuanyanwu, claiming that he was the first Nigerian to believe in and help him achieve his goals.
He praised Iwuanyanwu for his generosity and called him “Biggest bros/father.” He also emphasised the value of leaving a legacy, changing people’s lives, and inspiring others.
“When I returned from the USA 1981, all I had was a dream as a broke Ass Charly Boy wanna be.
“It was Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu who accidentally met me in my village Oguta, after I disowned my parents for not buying into my dreams.
“He dashed me $8.000 at the time. I almost fainted. Dat gave me the impetus to build the Brand as I started my Jankara studio in my village. He was the very first Nigerian who supported and believed in my dream.
“My people, legacy is really about the lives we touched, the inspiration we gave, altering someone’s plan – if even for a moment – and getting them to think, cry, laugh, argue.
“More than anything, we are remembered for our smiles; the ones we share with our closest and dearest, and the ones we bestow on total strangers, who needed it right then, and God put us there to deliver,” he added.
