Musician and activist Charly Boy has paid tribute to the late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, who passed away on Thursday at 82.

Charly Boy revealed how Iwuanyanwu helped rescue his music career in 1981 when he returned to Nigeria from the US.

After disowning his parents for not supporting his music dreams, Charly Boy said he met Iwuanyanwu in his village, Oguta, and received an unexpected gift of $8,000.

This generous act enabled Charly Boy to establish a studio in his village and kickstart his career.

Charly Boy expressed his gratitude, saying Iwuanyanwu was the first Nigerian to believe in and support his dreams.

He highlighted the importance of legacy, touching lives, and inspiring others, and thanked Iwuanyanwu for his kindness, calling him “Biggest bros/father.”

“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.

“Chief I can never forget how out of the blues, you jump started my career. I know many will share similar stories of how you touched their live. I remain ever so grateful. Rest In Peace. Biggest bros/father”. (The Nation)

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