A Letter to my Daughter

Une Frances Okuneh

(The Ododo of Okuneh Dynasty)
By Arierhie Patrick Okuneh

Une Ọghaghare1

As you grow up beautifully and gracefully

Know that the world revolves blissfully
And you are not peculiar but special
So hold on humbly to your pride and honour in particular
Wake up when you should
Then commit every day to the Lord Jesus as you would
Frankly tell Him all your supplications
And deviate not from your baptismal obligations
Don’t bother about how the day comes
What you can give is what counts
Think big and think great
Then what you can give shall give you your break
You can soar like the eagle
All you need is principle as your girdle
Your faith in God as your mantle
While you believe in yourself to overcome the hurdle
Daughters are great and so you are
Every day live nothing less of what you proffer
And you’ll have less to think about who you want to be
And much to put into what you have to give
Open up your heart to wisdom
And your mind to sound knowledge that comes
Be limited only by what you cannot conceive
But broaden your horizon cautiously, only just believe
Strive to be the best not necessarily the first
Because a positive mind is the secret of success
And as you better your best
You make the world a better place to rest

Give the best

Because you deserve the best
And remember ‘urhe r’o f’odo
Ọyę avwọ kar’ odo’2

Rule your world

1
Une (song) is my daughter’s name; ‘Ọghaghare’ is an Urhobo word for Dear.
2
An Urhobo adage which means, ‘respect is given to whom it is due’ (Urhobo is the fifth largest tribe in
Nigeria).