Veteran entertainer and social commentator, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, says he has chosen to support his two daughters after they identified as lesbians, stressing that his priority is their happiness and independence.
Charly Boy made this known in an interview with Saturday Beats, where he also explained his reaction to criticism over his decision to speak publicly about his daughters.
According to him, accepting his children’s choices was initially difficult, but he eventually decided that he could not dictate the life of an adult.
He said, “Get it clear, I actually have two daughters who are lesbians. My youngest daughter came out first, years ago, and my eldest daughter came out more recently.
“When my youngest daughter first told me, it was a hard pill to swallow initially because she hadn’t had children yet, whereas my older daughter had already built a family.”
The entertainer said his concern was not to control his adult children but to see them live happily and independently.
He stated, “I was trying to educate people that you have no control over the life of a 50-something-year-old woman. This is the same woman who gave me six grandchildren and a great-grandson.
“If she decides that she no longer likes men and prefers to be a lesbian, so be it. My only concern is for her to be happy.”
Charly Boy added that he had no interest in having unnecessary conflicts with his children, noting that his relationship with them was based largely on love and mutual independence.
“I don’t want to quarrel with my children if I can help it. As long as you’re not bothering me, asking me for money or having a sense of entitlement, it’s all about love,” he said.
He explained that his deep affection for his children made it easier for him to adjust his perspective.
“And because I love my children deeply, I adapted quickly. I didn’t want to be an old-fashioned, rigid father; I wanted to be a supportive, open father.
“As long as they are standing on their own two feet and not asking me for money, their life is their life. At the end of the day, it all comes down to love,” he said.
Asked whether he was disappointed by his daughters’ decisions, Charly Boy admitted that he had mixed feelings.
He said, “Yes and no. Yes, because I would have wished Dominique, like the older one, had her babies before she jumped into this, but she was never married before.”
The social commentator also said his approach to parenting had evolved with younger generations, particularly millennials and Generation Z.
“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.
“The days of beating and commanding are gone and can’t come back,” he said.
Charly Boy further explained that his openness about his family was consistent with his personality and the principles reflected in his book, 999.
Speaking about his relationship with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, he described the elder statesman as both a close friend and a father figure.
He said their relationship developed naturally rather than through any deliberate effort.
“We didn’t intentionally set out to build this kind of friendship. It was just something that happened naturally or organically. I’m enjoying it, just like he’s enjoying it.
“I like very sincere and open people, and he is one of such persons,” he said.
According to Charly Boy, he and Obasanjo sometimes spend hours discussing issues, including religion and personal matters.
“We talk for three or four hours sometimes. You can start imagining what Charly Boy and Obasanjo would be talking about for three or four hours.
“We talk about religion a lot because I want to know where he stands in the scheme of things. When you hear us discussing in our private space, you’d think I’m talking to my age mate. I’m truly in love with that guy because he’s a correct person,” he said.
He added, “Sometimes, I feel like he’s my father because he talks like my father and does things like my father. Anytime I’m trying to figure something out, I call him, and he helps me sort it out.
“For friendship, he’s there; for fatherhood, he’s there. We talk every day.”
