By Bola Babarinde, South Africa
Human history often presents itself as a grand design shaped by intelligence, ambition, and strategy. Yet, when examined deeply, it becomes clear that above all human effort stands the Supreme Creator, the unexplainable Architect of the world and beyond. He is the One whose wisdom surpasses human comprehension, whose plans cannot be predicted, and whose authority renders human pride insignificant. Nations rise and fall, leaders emerge and fade, and civilizations flourish and decline, but He alone remains constant, unchallenged, and infinitely ahead of His creations. This reality alone should humble every human being and remind us that the world, in all its glory and struggle, is ultimately vanity.
The creation of Nigeria itself reflects the limitations of human planning. It was not born out of love, cultural understanding, or a desire for harmony, but largely as a commercial construct shaped by the interests of the United Kingdom. The diverse peoples, cultures, and civilizations that existed independently were merged into one political entity for administrative convenience and economic exploitation. Yet, despite this artificial union, each of the three major regions possessed sufficient human and natural resources to thrive independently if guided by vision, competence, and sincerity of leadership.
The South West was fortunate to experience the leadership of visionary and progressive minds, most notably Obafemi Awolowo. His administration demonstrated what purposeful leadership could achieve. Through investments in free education, healthcare, infrastructure, and social welfare, he established a foundation for human development that remains a reference point decades later. His leadership was driven not by narrow interests, but by an understanding that true development lies in empowering people.
In contrast, the Northern region under Ahmadu Bello pursued a leadership model shaped by preservation of traditional power structures. While it reflected the realities and priorities of his environment, its outcomes in human development did not match the progressive momentum seen elsewhere. The South East, filled with resilient and enterprising people, showed promise but lacked the coordinated institutional leadership necessary at the time to maximize its full potential.
Yet, the Creator, in His infinite wisdom, reminds humanity that His ways are beyond human logic. The same Northern region, often associated with developmental challenges, gave birth to extraordinary industrial giants such as Aliko Dangote and Isiaku Rabiu, both from Kano. With modest educational backgrounds but extraordinary vision, discipline, and perseverance, they rose to dominate manufacturing, commerce, and industry. Their success stands as undeniable evidence that greatness does not always emerge from comfort, privilege, or predictable environments. It emerges according to the will and design of the Creator, who elevates whom He wills and humbles whom He wills.
The Yoruba proverb says, “Inú ìkòkò dúdú ni ẹ̀kọ́ funfun ti ń jáde”: from a black pot comes white pap. This timeless wisdom reflects a universal truth: greatness often emerges from unexpected places. Human beings may attempt to explain success and failure through science, sociology, or economics, but the Creator constantly reminds us that His authority supersedes human theories. He alone understands the full script of existence.
This truth carries a profound lesson. Pride is an illusion. Wealth is temporary. Power is fleeting. Intelligence itself is limited. Those who boast today may be forgotten tomorrow, while those who remain humble continue to rise beyond imagination. The greatest entrepreneurs do not shout the loudest. The greatest achievers often remain the most humble. Meanwhile, those with the smallest accomplishments sometimes make the loudest claims.
We must therefore learn humility. We must recognize that human beings are not the ultimate architects of their success. We are merely instruments operating within the boundaries permitted by the Creator. Nations that rise do so by His allowance. Individuals who succeed do so by His grace. Those who fall do so within His knowledge.
In the end, everything returns to the same eternal truth, the world is vanity. Wealth cannot defeat time. Power cannot stop mortality. Pride cannot override destiny. Only the Creator remains eternal, unchallengeable, and supreme.
The greatest wisdom, therefore, is humility. To remain grounded. To remain grateful. To remain conscious that above every king, every billionaire, every nation, and every civilization stands the Almighty Creator, whose wisdom is infinite and whose authority is absolute.
