The Creativity Site

 By Victor Olubiye In a world where recognition, riches, and reputation often define success, one man defied them all—and became a legend. Grigori Perelman, a reclusive mathematician from Saint Petersburg, Russia, stunned the scientific world not only with his genius, but with an even rarer quality: indifference to fame. In the early 2000s, Perelman achieved what many believed was impossible—he solved the century-old Poincaré Conjecture, one of the most complex and elusive problems in the history of mathematics. The Poincaré Conjecture was more than just a puzzle. It was one of the seven Millennium Prize Problems, identified by the Clay Mathematics Institute in 2000 as the greatest unsolved problems in mathematics. Each came with a $1 million prize and global acclaim. The conjecture itself dealt with the very nature of space and shape in three dimensions, baffling the sharpest mathematical minds for over a hundred years. Perelman’s solution, published in a series of low-key online ...

By Victor Olubiye  Samuel Johnson was a Nigerian historian, Anglican priest, and cultural nationalist best known for authoring The History of the Yorubas, one of the earliest and most detailed written records of Yoruba history. Born in 1846 in Hastings, Sierra Leone, to Yoruba parents who were liberated from slavery, Johnson later moved to Ibadan, Nigeria. He was educated under the Church Missionary Society and eventually became an Anglican priest. Deeply concerned about the erosion of Yoruba history under colonial rule, Johnson dedicated years to documenting Yoruba origins, politics, wars, and traditional institutions.  His monumental manuscript, completed in 1897, was initially lost by the British publishers, but his brother, Dr. Obadiah Johnson, later reconstructed and published it in 1921. The History of the Yorubas remains a foundational text for understanding precolonial Yoruba civilization. Johnson’s work preserved the dignity and complexity of Yoruba heritage and made ...

 By Victor Olubiye  Since Nigeria’s independence in 1960, leadership of Africa’s most populous country has emerged from a select group of states. Out of the country’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, only 10 have produced presidents and heads of state, both civilian and military. Below is a breakdown of these states and the leaders they’ve given Nigeria: Anambra State : Nnamdi Azikiwe — Nigeria’s first President (1963–1966). Abia State: Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi — Nigeria’s first Military Head of State (1966). Plateau State: Yakubu Gowon — Head of State (1966–1975). Kano State: Murtala Mohammed — Head of State (1975–1976). Sani Abacha — Head of State (1993–1998). Ogun State: Olusegun Obasanjo — Military Head of State (1976–1979) and Civilian President (1999–2007). Ernest Shonekan — Interim Head of State (1993). Sokoto State: Shehu Shagari — Nigeria’s first Executive President (1979–1983). Katsina State: Muhammadu Buhari — Military Head of State (1983–1985) and Civilian...

By Victor Olubiye From major religious milestones to historical personal stories, July 17 holds a unique place across centuries. Below are notable events that happened on this day: 1505 — Martin Luther Joins Monastic Life in Search of Faith At just 21 years old, German theologian Martin Luther entered the Augustinian Monastic Order in Erfurt, Germany. Driven by a quest for spiritual enlightenment, this step eventually led to his pivotal role in the Protestant Reformation with his famous 95 Theses published on October 31, 1517. 180 AD — Scillitan Martyrs Stand Firm in North Africa Twelve North African Christians, known as the Scillitan Martyrs, were executed by beheading for refusing to renounce their faith. Tried before Roman Proconsul Saturninus, they were found in possession of sacred Christian texts, including letters of Paul, and chose martyrdom over betrayal of their beliefs. 1674 — Hymn Writer Isaac Watts Is Born Isaac Watts, born in Southampton, England, on this date, became o...

 By Victor Olubiye Early Life & Origin Full Name: Muhammadu Buhari Date of Birth: December 17, 1942 Place of Birth: Daura, Katsina State, Northern Nigeria Ethnic Group: Fulani Religion: Islam Family Background: Born to a Fulani chief and raised in a modest, traditional Muslim family. Education and Military Career Attended Katsina Provincial Secondary School (now Government College Katsina). Enrolled in the Nigerian Military Training College in 1962. Trained in several military institutions, including in the UK, India, and the US. Rose through the ranks of the Nigerian Army. Political and Military Positions Military Governor of North-Eastern State 1975–1976 After the 1975 coup led by Murtala Mohammed. Federal Commissioner for Petroleum Resources 1976–1978 Under President Olusegun Obasanjo’s military regime. Chairman, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) 1976–1978 Combined this with the petroleum commissioner role. Military Head of State of Nigeria 1983–1985 Took power ...