Foremost entertainer and activist, Charles Oputa, popularly known as CharlyBoy, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of veteran Nollywood actor Tom Njemanze, who passed away over the weekend following a prolonged battle with prostate cancer.
Prior to his death, Njemanze had shared a video online revealing his health condition and appealed to Nigerians for urgent financial support to fund his surgery.
In an interview on Monday in Abuja, CharlyBoy described the actor’s passing as “regrettable,” noting that his death occurred just as efforts were underway to raise funds for his surgery.
“We received the news at the weekend from his son, who called to inform me that he had passed on,” CharlyBoy said.
“His death is so unfortunate. That is why, when we see someone in distress, we should act immediately, because nobody knows the time.”
CharlyBoy, who had earlier launched a public appeal for financial support to assist the late actor, said that although some awareness was raised and donations were made, the help came too late.
In response to Njemanze’s passing and his own personal experience surviving prostate cancer, CharlyBoy has launched a nationwide campaign to promote awareness and early detection of prostate cancer in men.
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He explained that many men suffer in silence due to societal expectations and the stigma surrounding health issues.
“Men are often reluctant to speak up or go for regular health checks. They’re too focused on being providers and protectors, and in the process, they neglect their own well-being,”he said.
“This campaign is about changing that mindset. We want to build a new culture where men are encouraged to talk about their health and seek help early.”
The awareness campaign is the flagship initiative of the CharlyBoy Foundation, a nonprofit focused on men’s health, including mental wellness, diabetes, and prostate health.
“We are intensifying efforts to ensure men understand the importance of early screening. With early detection, prostate cancer is manageable. We can save more lives if we act early,” he added.
CharlyBoy urged Nigerian men to prioritize their health and get regular checkups, stressing that silence and inaction only lead to avoidable tragedies.
