Veteran Nigerian entertainer and social commentator, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has said he accepted his two daughters’ decision to identify as lesbians because his priority is their happiness.
Charly Boy made the disclosure in an interview with Saturday Beats Monitored by The News Chronicle, where he addressed reactions to his social media posts about his daughters and explained his approach to parenting.
The entertainer said his youngest daughter came out as a lesbian years ago, while his eldest daughter disclosed her sexuality more recently.
According to him, accepting the decisions was initially difficult, particularly because his eldest daughter had already established a family and has children.
Charly Boy said he eventually realised that he could not control the choices of his adult children and decided to support them as long as they remained independent and happy.
He said, “My only concern is for her to be happy.”
He explained that his love for his children made it easier for him to adapt, adding that he did not want to become a rigid or old-fashioned father.
The veteran entertainer also said modern parenting requires parents to advise their children rather than attempt to dictate their lives.
“As a parent, I’ve learnt that with millennials and Gen Zs, you don’t tell them what to do; you can only advise them and try to get them to see the logical side of what you’re putting across for them to take, leave or trash,” he said.
He added that the era of parents using force and commands to control their children was over.
Charly Boy also spoke about his relationship with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, describing him as both a close friend and a father figure.
He said their relationship developed naturally and that they sometimes spend three or four hours discussing issues ranging from religion to personal matters.
According to him, Obasanjo has become someone he turns to whenever he needs advice or assistance in making decisions.
“Sometimes, I feel like he’s my father because he talks like my father and does things like my father,” Charly Boy said.
He added that their friendship had become a significant part of his life, saying, “For friendship, he’s there; for fatherhood, he’s there. We talk every day.”
