Charles Novia's long letter on FB to his adorable daughter Nosa, on her 13th birthday.

Happy birthday Nosa,WULLNP!

FOR MY LOVELY DAUGHTER, NOSAKHARE AS SHE TURNS THIRTEEN TODAY:
( Last year, I wrote the letter below to my daughter when she turned twelve and posted on facebook. It's a year later and I feel I have to reproduce the letter with slight amendments for her again because my feelings haven't changed. I have only one child ( so far) but I am the happiest father of children whenever I behold my child. She is my joy.So, my friends, join me in wishing her a Happy Birthday! )
"My dearest daughter, Nosa; as I write this to you, I remember the night of November 5th, 2000 at the Hospital in Lagos where I heard your cries at about 9pm that evening as you came into this world. All through the months you were in your mother's womb, I kept on praying for all the attributes you have exhibited since birth and I would daily pat your mother's tummy and have conversations with you even before your birth! When I entered the maternity ward and the mid-wife put you in my arms, I was so happy when I beheld your pretty face and a surge of electric affection ran through me as I cooed to you and rocked you lovingly in my arms. By your birth, you had made me a complete man; you had made me a daddy! And over the months and years we bonded. I have watched you grow with much pride in my heart and I have seen your transition from a curious and inquisitive baby into an intelligent and beautiful young lady. And you seem to have taken some chips off the old block too because I'm constantly amazed at your grasp of the English Language and the short stories you write as well as your voracious appetite for reading! My heart swells with Pride! Over the years, coming home to see you running into my arms for a warm embrace made even the most stressful day seem insignificant. Added to your mother's loving hug, wasn't I just the happiest father alive! And our daily discussions on everything that happened to you everyday was something I looked forward to then and now! Through you, I got a glimpse of the twenty-first century child and how fast the world has changed since I was a kid! I'm very grateful that you are comfortable to sit with me and discuss anything you wish with me and I have always encouraged you to do so too with my ever-ready listening ear and I know you love to hear my opinion and advice to you on issues. You see, my dear Nosa, I grew up in a polygamous setting, in my mother's house (you call her 'Grandma Benin') and I didn't have the luxury of seeing my dad all the time and only started a bonding process with him when I was much older and was getting to know him more before he died. So for you, I made it a point of duty to be there for you; to fight for you, to make sure you have a dad's comfort surrounding you and the warmth of a father's love as a cover. I hope I have been doing a good job of it so far?My Nosa! Your laughter lights up your face and your sense of humor is out of this world! As you turn thirteen today, I remember fondly your growth stages and how you have been a pivot in my life. Thank God for you! Thank you too for the wonderful moments as follows; 1. to rock you to sleep as a baby,2. to sing lullabies for you, 3.to stay up with you those nights when you had fever as a child,4. to see your teeth fall off and grow back over the years ( thanks to the tooth fairy!), 5.to take you to school and pick you up after school as much as I could,6. to take you to the children's parties and your friends homes for sleepovers,7. to be firm and stern when the need arose as a dad,8. to dry your tears when you cried and 9. most of all, for allowing me be your daddy!I have deliberately left out loving moments with your mummy in this write-up because this is all about you but so she won't be a bit envious (lol! Happy, I'm sorry o!) let me also thank you for making her the happiest and loveliest mum the world has ever known. You are as much a comfort to her as you are to me. Now, you are twelve years of age today! How time flies! And now, you are thirteen.. That's when the 'Teenage Turnaround' will begin to set in. It has nothing to do with you. It's just a process of life;a rite of passage.In the Teen experience, you would become more introspective and individualistic. You will experience a growing sense of freedom and perhaps meet peers who might change your world view. That is natural. But I'm not afraid of that. I'm happy that you have been well-grounded in the best of moral upbringing and that the virtues of a Christian way of life have been imbibed in you. These will aid you in your road to self-discovery.

    For you have to discover your inner self and your purpose in this world by yourself. Your parents know that and have prepared you for that and we have no doubt that God has given you the best in life. The world is more than your oyster. Like I have told you most times, I may not be a Bill Gates or Aliko Dangote but the legacy I will leave for you through the name you bear is bigger than all their wealth put together! (Even though a fraction of their wealth in my account wouldn't be bad too, abi? Lol). And so, my dearest Nosa, have yourself a very happy day as you celebrate. It's not so much about presents this year but all about this letter I have written to express my happiness and gratitude in having you as a daughter. I decided to make this an open letter as well so that many who read this and are believing God for a child may find this helpful in their parenthood expectations. It's also for many who are already parents and may also find this as an insight into how to make their world more complete through their children. Nigerians of my generation, grew up 'by hand'. Our parents mostly were stern and inaccessible. Most of us never heard our fathers say to us those three magic words ' I love you' which could have changed our lives and the society we live in today. Instead, all we got most times were curses and boxes to the ears which did much to lower the individual's self-esteem. ( I never experienced that but I know lots of friends who did). Our children must FEEL our love. Nosa, my darling daughter, you have felt mine and it will never stop. From your mother and from me, we love you and wish you love, peace and joy! Go party, November Child!
    Wow the love between a father and a child...so sweet of CN.