OPUTA, Charles Emeka

State of Origin: Imo Local Government Area: Oguta Charles Emeka Oputa is an Icon, a great artist and talented musician. He is an Icon not because he was born to a very great and respected retired Supreme Court Judge,) and the Chairman of the Human Rights Violation Investigation Commission. Justice Chukwudifu Akunne Oputa (CFR ) but because he has achieved fame and greatness through hard work, personal conviction . resilience and personal discipline andcommitment toa chosen career. He is a social and Human Rights Activist and an honest rebel with a Mission. He has touched many lives through his Music and Charities. He is a challenger to the status quo which hypocritically oppresses the poor and pretends that all is well in our society. Hewas bornon 19"' June 195? in Port I larcourt. Charlie Boy as he is known by millions of his numerous fans is the current President of Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) and the President of Code Red Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). PMAN is one of the biggest world famous Trade Union of Professionals in the country and compares with similar organizations of celebrities the world over. Education • Holy Ghost College Owerri • Dennis Memorial Grammar School Onitsha • University of Harvard B,Sc BusinessAdministration • Suffolk University US.A, B.Sc Hons. In Speech Communications • Emerson University USA, M.Sc. Mass Communication Job Experience • Chief Executive Officer ofNew Wave Productions- a media outfit based in Lagos • President, Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) • President of Code Red Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Productions and Performances Mr Oputa has been deeply involved in the field of arts since 1983 and has got five albums now to his credit. These albums were made to reach out to the Youths and educate the masses on their rights and challenge them on their roles in developing Nigeria and to seek the way forward for the Nigerian people. The five albums are: • Obodogirigiri • Nwata Miss • Akula • U-Tum • 1990 Charley Boy and Defence of Human Rights • As President of PMAN, Charles has led serious campaign against the degradation of Nigerian artistes on arrival of foreign stars especially when the Haitian-born WyclefJean was in Nigeria • Has fought bravely against Piracy by getting the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) to realize the danger Piracy poses to the Entertainment Industry in Nigeria. He took up the case to the Minister of Cultureand Tourism and the fight against Piracy has now been intensified by the Law Enforcement Agents in the country. • Charley Boy got Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) involved in the fight against Piracy and the collaboration with SON, and the Law Enforcement Agents in the Country has been fighting against the evil of piracy vigorously. • His contribution to the Television Industry is enormous - e.g. his popular Charley Boy Show which he anchored from 1992 2003. At present, a bottling Company has taken over the programme to promote their own brand of stout. The show has changed the face of Nigeria Television for good with positive impacts on the lives of millions of children and adults as it provides a platform to express and discover talents. • TheZOOM TIMEis anotherProgramme of Charley Boy- thisprogrammes triesto bridgethegap between the rulersandthe ruled. It parades great and enigmatic personalities from all walks of life. • Besides, CharlieBoyhas become a brandbecause of theart statements he hasmade. His looks: from makeup and longbraids, to shockingly coloured punk hair style, ropes and pins to power bikes, booths, leather whips and glasses, to deadlocks , tattoos ,speaks volumes of his uniqueness. • As a social crusader,he is committedto a national mass oriented strugglewith all sectors of our national life. • Hehas led unprecedented copyright struggles against both Multi-Choice in 1997 1998 and other Pirates in Nigeria. • He is at the forefront of the Anti- Drug Campaign which has taken him to major universities in Nigeria. He is in collaboration with Hope World Widetook the WarAgainstDrugsand Cultism to all majorUniversities and Colleges in Nigeria. • He led a Crusade to Ikeja Roundabout in Lagoswhere he took over the welfare and upkeep of Madam Helen, the abandoned acid victim whose child was given a two-year Scholarship. • He led theSaveTyna Onwudiwe Campaign a veryserious exercise to raise fund to savea talented Nigerian celebrity whohadcancer of the lungs. • Charley Boy's Code Red Foundation, a Non- Government Organisation has been involved in Human Rights Enlightenment Campaign all overthecountry. These include, theAwareness ofNon-Payment of Pensions tothe Military Pensioners whowere roaming theFederal Capital Abuja. • He is the Intermediary between Lagos StateAuthority and the Motorcycle Commercial Operators calledOKADA on the threat to ban the cyclists from operating commercial services in theState. The Poverty Alleviation Scheme for Okada Riders (PASOR) was spearheaded by Charley Boy Organisation where motorcycle operators were given loans to purchase new machines without down payment. Hearranged with WAPIC Insurance Company to insure the lives of the riders. Other Commitments to Social Developments • Charley Boy at present is the Director of Musical CopyrightSociety(MCSN). • He was the Vice President of Performing Musicians Associations ofNigeria from 1990 1991 • Patron of El-Kanemi Hall, University of Lagos. • Current President of Performing Musicians Associationof Nigeria 2003 2005 • National President of Code Red Foundation - Charley Boy Image has become Corporate-friendly, as he is now used to endorse products for Corporate Organisations.Since the image is a labyrinth, it can be used for any product and the advert statement will be made. Some of these organisations include (a) Wandel International Nigeria Ltd. Producer of Simba Motorcycles ( b) Globa Com. a GSM Global line Operator ( c ) WAPIC Insurance Pic Charley Boy is an Icon whose tenacity and consistency he has had in his belief always made him had a belief in himself all over the years. He has evolved into a maverick, genius, talented promoter, crusader and philanthropist; Charley Boy is a passionate family man. married to Diane Rogers, an American from South Carolina, a Musician. Cosmetologist. Fashion Designer, a house wife and a mother, lie is the lather of eight children and four grandchildren.