Joseph Emenyeonu Writes On, "What Else Can Parents Ask For?"

By: Joseph Emenyeonu

Last week, tears welled down my eyes as I breathlessly watched Malala Yousafzai mount the rostrum before 'the world' to receive the Nobel peace prize. I saw her elated and proud parents smiling, laughing and crying tears of joy.

What else can parents ask for? In 2011, we watched as Agbani Darego took the world by the storm when she won the most beautiful woman on this planet earth, the Miss World beauty pageant. I was living in Port Hacourt then and I still remember how my PH friends proudly pointed at Agbani's father's house each time we drove by.

The house promptly became a mecca of sorts and the family name, an instant hit! What else can parents ask for? We have variously seen Ronaldo, Messi and Neymar doing their fans and most importantly their families proud each time they are boxed inside the four walls of a soccer pitch. If you were Messi's parents, what else can you ask for? We have seen Psquare, 2face Idibia, Davido, Flavour and other Whiz Kids doing their thing in the entertainment industry? If you were their parents, what else can you ask for?

We have seen Justin Beiber become a mini-god before his mainly youthful fans all over the world. What else can Justin's parents ask for? Last year, we saw our own 'Black is beautiful' and 'proudly made in Africa' sister, Lupita Nyong'o do the African race proud with her esoteric black essence when she lit the academy award night with her 'blackness' amid standing ovations as she received the coveted academy awards, the Oscars.

What else can Lupita's parents ask for? Lately, the news feeds have been buzzing around our own rising star, Hon Emeka Ihedioha and the name 'Ihedioha' has become a household name not only in Imo state but in Nigeria. What else can Emeka's parents ask for?

My prayer for all of us is that we shall not beget children who shall put our names into disrepute, shame and ridicule. My prayer is that we shall bear children who shall be fulfilled and celebrated. Our children shall not scurry after shadows like the beagle or flutter about like a hen. 

They shall soar to greater heights like an eagle and we shall have cause to cry rivers of tears of joy each time they are celebrated and ovate. Our children shall lead successful and fulfilled lives in the fear and love of God. This is my prayer for all of us!