Nigeria, Aug. 29 -- Dolly Rebecca Parton-Dean taught the world that poverty is not a reproach. Not a DNA or a sin. In fact, that it can be a badge of honour worn with pride.

In her 1971 classic "Coat of Many Colours," she stitched a true story of poverty with the Biblical story of Joseph and presented humanity with unforgettable lyrics. The "coat" was a biblical story of love, preference and anointment. But the Parton coat was parchment sewn with love and worn proudly by a child. Although the coat was sewn from rags with patches on her britches and holes in her shoes, the child could not see her odd appearance. When her mates laughed at her, she recalled the love with which her mother sewed the coat, went on the offensive and tried to tu...