By Parrot Newspaper 
The Forgotten Fathers: When Fame Outshines Family
By Ricky Awodi
In the grand spectacle of celebrity culture, we see the glitz, the glamour, and the carefully curated public images of stars who claim to be generous, loving, and caring. They donate to charities, fund scholarships, and throw lavish parties, all while their own blood suffers in silence. The case of Fatai Odunsi, father of popular singer Asake, is a painful reflection of this contradiction—a man now crying out for help after suffering a stroke, while his son enjoys the spoils of fame.
Odunsi, a father who once carried his child in his arms, who nurtured his dreams, is now left pleading with strangers for survival. In a heartbreaking video that has now gone viral, he said, “The last time I saw Asake was in March 2022 when my sickness started. If I called Asake, he won’t pick. Please help me, it is your help that I need.” These words are not just a cry for financial aid but a piercing indictment of neglect—a neglect that seems to be a common disease among some of our so-called superstars.
When Fame Erases Family
It is easy to stand on a stage, throw money into the crowd, and receive applause. It is easy to gift expensive cars to friends, donate to unknown charities, and fund projects that bring praise. But the true measure of a person’s character is not in how they treat the public, but how they care for their own.
A society that glorifies success without accountability is breeding children who abandon their roots once they taste the sweetness of money. What is the point of being a star if your father is begging for survival? What is the use of having millions in your account when the very man who gave you life cannot afford medical treatment?
Sadly, Asake is not the only one. Many celebrities parade themselves as philanthropists, yet their aged parents live in neglect, forgotten in remote villages or cramped apartments, struggling with sickness and loneliness. Some only remember their roots when their parents die—when it’s time for a grand funeral to display wealth before the cameras.
A Call to Conscience
To those who have attained wealth and fame, let this be a moment of reflection. Your parents are your first responsibility before the world. Before the fans, before the endorsements, before the lavish lifestyle, there was a father who sacrificed and a mother who toiled. They deserve to be honored, cared for, and respected—not abandoned like relics of the past.
To the society that worships celebrities without questioning their humanity, it is time to change. Stop celebrating stars who shine only in public but leave their families in darkness.
And to Asake, if the voice of your father crying for help does not move you, what will? The world is watching.
A Final Thought
When the music stops and the crowd disappears, the only people who truly matter are family. Fame fades, wealth can be lost, but the love and honor given to parents will always remain. The question remains—what legacy do you want to leave? One of public grandeur or private disgrace? The choice is yours.