Okonkwo says to himself several times: "She should have been a boy."
Later he says to Obierika: "If Ezinma had been a boy I would have been happier."
Later Okonkwo thinks "I wish she had were a boy." Ezinma is one of the few people who understand Okonkwo as well as she does. "He never stopped regretting that Ezinma was a girl."
Okonkwo wishes that Ezinma was a boy because he sees her as having the spirit and strength that he values in masculinity. He believes that if she were a boy, she would have been the perfect heir to carry on his legacy and continue the family lineage.
Ezinma is the child who is most able to understand Okonkwo's view points and what he wishes for their family. She seems to share Okonkwo's desire for family honour and is willing to sacrifice for it as well.
Ekwefi is Ezinma's mother in the novel "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe. Their relationship is close and loving, with Ekwefi showing deep concern and empathy for Ezinma's well-being. Ekwefi sees Ezinma as her pride and joy, and their bond is a central aspect of the story.
There is nothing explicit in text that Okonkwo says often about Ezinma. Okonkwo does say twice throughout the book the idea that Ezinma should have been a boy, but whether this is said often is not is unknown.
Subjective answer: The thing that upsets Okonkwo the most internally, is the fact that Nwoye is too much like his grandfather Unoka. The one action that gets Okonkwo the most upset externally is finding out that Nwoye has been hanging around the Christians, at which point Okonkwo confronts Nwoye and nearly chokes him to death.
Okonkwo frequently wishes his daughter Ezinwa was born a boy, because she is the child most able to understand him and his desires for the family. None of his sons have as much desire and ambition to obtain the high level of standing in the village.
Okonkwo's favorite child was his daughter Ezinma. He often expressed a deep affection for her, wishing she were a boy because he believed she possessed the strength and qualities he valued in a son. Okonkwo's admiration for Ezinma highlighted his struggle with traditional gender roles in his society, as he recognized her potential and capabilities despite her being female.
Ezinma is aware that Okonkwo loves her mother. She clearly looks up to her father, and is willing to take his advice, while at the same time being aware of his fierce temper and overall manliness. There are times when she can stand no one else but him.
Ikemefuna is the boy that is sent to live with Okonkwo. Eventually the boy becomes much like Okonkwo's own son, and Ikemefuna even calls Okonkwo father.
Ezinma is the daughter of Okonkwo and his second wife Ekwefi. She is the closest daughter to her father, especially after Ikemefuna dies. Okonkwo often wishes she had been born a boy. Ezinma, like all children of her mother, initially suffers from a weak constitution and almost dies. She is thought to be an ogbanje, a child who dies then re-enters her mother's womb to be reborn. She is high-spirited, and is treated as an equal by her mother, who she maintains more of a sister-sister relationship with. She maintains a large influence over her half-sister Obiageli. She is moderately rebellious, but understands her father the best, and generally acts as a good daughter.
When Ezinma has her fever, Okonkwo goes into the bushes with his machete and collects leaves, grasses and barks for making medicine. He boils them in a pot, and does not let it boil over. Okonkwo then forces Ezinma to be steamed in the medicine, under a tent formed by a large mat. Okonkwo holds her down even while she chokes and struggles to escape.
It is not specifically mentioned in the book. Okonkwo puts most of his focus on Nwoye, since he is the eldest son, but Nwoye does not really meet his standards for being a man. Okonkwo seems to respect and like his adopted son Ikemefuna more, even though Ikemefuna is not truly his son. Later, his focus is mostly on his daughter Ezinma, whom he continually wishes had been born a boy.