Veteran singer and social activist, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has ignited a storm of controversy with his recent remarks concerning the mental health of Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka.
According to report Published by The Punch Newspapers, Charly Boy took to his X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram accounts to advise Nigerians to treat Soyinka’s statements and actions with caution, citing concerns about age-related brain deterioration.
In his posts, Charly Boy suggested that Soyinka’s advanced age might be affecting his cognitive abilities and influencing his recent rhetoric and behaviors. “Prof. Wole Soyinka is aged over 80yrs even tending towards 90yrs. For his age, some level of brain deterioration is not unexpected. His rhetorics and actions in recent times are suggestive of deteriorating brain disease, and as such he shouldn’t be taken too seriously,” he wrote.
Charly Boy also expressed concerns over Soyinka’s family and close associates’ inability to shield him from opportunistic politicians, emphasizing the need for vigilance among Nigerians to prevent the exploitation of Soyinka’s health condition for political purposes.
Charly Boy’s comments were met with widespread outrage from netizens who viewed them as disrespectful and unfounded. Social media platforms were flooded with responses condemning his remarks and defending Soyinka’s legacy and mental acuity. One prominent Twitter user expressed, “Charly Boy, questioning the mental health of an icon like Soyinka without any solid proof is not just disrespectful but also baseless. Show some respect for his contributions and legacy.”
Another Instagram commenter added, “Soyinka has achieved more than most of us ever will. Disparaging his mental health is a low blow, even for Charly Boy.” Wole Soyinka, a Nobel laureate and one of Nigeria’s most revered literary figures, has had a profound impact on literature and social activism. Many of his supporters and admirers took to social media to defend his integrity and mental state, highlighting his enduring contributions and sharp intellect.
A Facebook user wrote, “Soyinka’s achievements in literature and human rights are unmatched. It’s disheartening to see Charly Boy trying to undermine his legacy with such unfounded claims.” This sentiment was echoed across various platforms, with many questioning Charly Boy’s motivations and the appropriateness of his comments.
Charly Boy’s comments also sparked a broader discussion on the ethics of public discourse, particularly regarding mental health and aging. Critics argued that making public assumptions about someone’s mental health without evidence is irresponsible and harmful….S££ MOR£
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