The Creativity Site

 By Victor Olubiye Philip Emeagwali’s journey from war-torn Nigeria to global recognition is a testament to intellectual resilience and innovation in the face of adversity. Born on August 23, 1954, in Akure, southwestern Nigeria, and raised in Onitsha, Emeagwali's early years were marked by the Nigerian Civil War—a conflict that interrupted his formal education and reshaped the trajectory of his life. Yet, from these challenging beginnings emerged one of the most notable contributors to the advancement of high-performance computing. Forced to drop out of school at age 14 due to financial constraints, Emeagwali turned to public libraries, nurturing a deep interest in mathematics and science. His self-directed education laid the groundwork for his academic and technological achievements. He eventually left Nigeria and pursued higher education in the United States, earning a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Oregon State University in 1977. He went on to complete master’s degree...

 By Victor Olubiye Charles Olumo, popularly known by his stage name Agbako, was a towering presence in Nigeria’s Yoruba film landscape, remembered for a career that spanned over six decades and shaped generations of performers. Born Abdulsalam Sanyaolu in Abeokuta, Ogun State, in 1923, Olumo became one of the most iconic figures in indigenous Nigerian cinema, renowned for his gripping portrayal of villains and comic characters. Rising to prominence during the golden era of Yoruba traveling theatre, Olumo's acting journey began long before the emergence of Nollywood. His performances were marked by a fierce intensity and captivating screen presence that earned him the moniker Agbako—a Yoruba term connoting disaster or calamity—aptly reflecting the fearsome roles he frequently embodied. Yet, in contrast to his on-screen personas, he was known off-screen as warm, humorous, and deeply respected. As the Yoruba theatre tradition evolved into television drama and later into the booming ho...

 By Victor Olubiye Kambolé (also called Camboli or Kaboli) is a historic town in Tchamba Prefecture, about 90 km east of Sokodé in central Togo. With a population of around 50,000, it is known today as a key trading hub for nearby farming communities. The people speak Ede Nago, a dialect of the Manigri-Kambolé variety. The origins of Kambolé trace back to between the 14th and 17th centuries when a renowned hunter from Ilé-Ifẹ̀, known as Ọ̀dẹ Amọn, left Nigeria in search of safer lands due to unrest back home. A direct descendant of Odùduwà, Ọ̀dẹ Amọn’s name means "the famous or well-known hunter" in Yoruba. His journey took him through places like Idjiho in Nigeria, Savè and Igbomakoh in what is now Benin Republic, moving alongside the Ouémé River. He and his companions eventually settled temporarily in Katankou. One day during a hunting expedition in the forests of Katankou, he discovered a beautiful clearing and named it Òkè Gengele ("Hill" in Yoruba). Venturing f...

 By Victor Olubiye The Original name of Osapa London was "Osà palóló", meaning "The Lagoon Is Calm." People often call it Osapa Village before it was Jokingly changed to Osapa London. The story, however, would have been incomplete without making reference to the tussle over ownership of the land which was eventually awarded in favour of Late Chief Gbadamosi Eletu-Odibo clan as against the Ojomo Chieftaincy Family. It is said that one of the main reasons the Eletu Odibo family annually celebrates Osapa Day, aside being the date they won their land case that consequently turned the entire family into overnight billionaires, is that it is a subtle signal indicating that they deserve to have a king that would rule over them. Originally, the annual festival should have been christened "Ojude Oba" as been done in the ljebu Ode, but they have no crowned king yet. According to Prince Kazeem Eletu-Odibo, a scion of the Odibo clan, his grandfather used to stay in It...

 By Victor Olubiye Harriet Jacobs was born into slavery in Edenton, North Carolina, in 1813. For the first few years of her life, she didn’t even know she was enslaved. Her enslaver allowed her to live somewhat freely. But after he died, she was given to a new master — a cruel man who sexually harassed her from the time she was a teenager. To escape his abuse, Harriet entered into a relationship with another white man, hoping for protection. She had two children by him. But even that did not stop her enslaver’s threats. So, Harriet made a heartbreaking decision: she ran away, leaving her children behind — not forever, but to find a way to secure their freedom. But Harriet didn’t run far. She went into hiding in the attic of her grandmother’s home, where she lived for seven years. The crawl space was only 9 feet long and 3 feet high. She could not stand up or move much. She lived in near silence, watching her children grow through tiny cracks in the wall. Eventually, with the help o...

 By Victor Olubiye Niyi Osundare is a Nigerian poet, dramatist, linguist, and literary critic. Born on 12 March 1947, in Ikere-Ekiti, Nigeria, his poetry is influenced by the oral poetry of his Yoruba culture, which he hybridizes with other poetic traditions of the world, including African-American, Latin American, Asian, and European. Osundare gained degrees in English at the University of Ibadan (BA), the University of Leeds (MA), and York University, Canada (PhD, 1979). Previously professor (from 1989) and Head of English (1993–97) at the University of Ibadan, he became professor of English at the University of New Orleans in 1997. Osundare has a wife, Kemi, and three children. In 1997, he accepted a teaching and research post at the University of New Orleans. In 2005 Osundare was caught in Hurricane Katrina, and he and his wife were stuck in their attic for 26 hours. Their neighbour, who at the time was driving by in his boat, heard their shouts for help. They were rescued and ...

 By Victor Olubiye In the quiet town of Ikare in present-day Ondo State, a child was born in 1879 to the family of Tunolase, a respected herbalist and spiritualist. That child, Moses Orimolade Tunolase, would later become one of the most influential figures in Nigeria’s religious history—the founder of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, and a trailblazer of indigenous African Christianity. Stories about his birth are wrapped in mystery and legend. Some say he spoke shortly after birth, others claim he walked within days. While these accounts are not recorded in formal documents, they reflect how the people around him saw his life—as nothing short of miraculous. What is well established, however, is that Orimolade was partially disabled, possibly from birth or early childhood, and moved with difficulty all his life. Yet despite his physical limitations, he would travel extensively across Nigeria, preaching a gospel of holiness, healing, and prophetic revival. He began his ministry as...

 By Victor Olubiye The longest walkable road in the world stretches over an incredible 14,000 miles and has never been fully completed. This epic route begins in Cape Town, South Africa, and ends in Magadan, Russia, traversing diverse landscapes, climates, and cultures. It’s a journey that would take approximately three years to walk, assuming a steady pace of 12-15 miles per day. Along the way, travelers would pass through an array of destinations, each offering unique challenges and experiences: - Cape Town, South Africa: The starting point, known for its stunning coastline, Table Mountain, and vibrant cultural heritage.   - Botswana: Vast savannahs and wildlife reserves, offering a taste of Africa's natural beauty.   - Zambia: Home to the iconic Victoria Falls, one of the most breathtaking natural wonders in the world.   - Sudan: Featuring ancient archaeological sites and vast desert landscapes.   - Jordan: A land of historical treasures, ...