MUSA-ODODO ABDULRAHAMAN
In the vast theater of existence, humankind stands as the pinnacle of creation, entrusted with an extraordinary charge: to serve as the vicegerents of the Earth, stewards of a divine trust bestowed by God Almighty. This sacred calling transcends all boundaries – cultural, religious, and temporal – inviting us to shoulder the responsibility of nurturing the Earth and safeguarding its delicate balance. Yet, in the unfolding drama of history, humanity has often faltered, blinded by ignorance, greed, and hubris, straying far from the path of vicegerency ordained by the Creator.
From the dawn of our existence, this divine role was etched into the essence of humanity. When Adam was placed in Eden, he was not merely a passive inhabitant but an active custodian, tasked with tending and protecting paradise. This was the first call to vicegerency – a call that reverberates through the ages, challenging every generation to align their stewardship with the Creator’s wisdom. Yet, even in the primal garden, humanity faltered, swayed by the allure of unchecked desire, setting a pattern that has echoed across civilizations and epochs.
Through the corridors of time, history is replete with luminous examples of stewardship, as well as stark reminders of our failure to live up to this divine trust. Ancient Egypt, with its profound understanding of harmony between humanity and nature, built its society around the ebb and flow of the Nile, creating a civilization that thrived for millennia. But even here, hubris crept in. When the focus shifted from harmony to conquest, the balance was broken, and the civilization fell into decline. Similarly, in Mesopotamia, the cradle of human civilization, humanity first harnessed agriculture and built cities, but overexploitation and environmental degradation led to the collapse of the great Sumerian city-states.
In more recent times, the industrial revolution heralded unprecedented advancements but also marked the beginning of large-scale environmental degradation. Forests were razed, rivers polluted, and the skies darkened by soot, all in the name of progress. The wars of the modern age – whether fought over territory, ideology, or resources- have left scars not just on the land but on the collective soul of humanity. From the trenches of World War I to the atomic shadows of Hiroshima, from the plunder of colonial empires to the ongoing climate crisis, these are vivid testaments to humanity’s abdication of its divine duty.
This tragic narrative, however, is not irreversible. The divine trust placed upon us has not been rescinded, though our stewardship now demands an urgent reawakening. The big question looms large: how can we rekindle our collective consciousness and embrace our true role as the vicegerents of God Almighty on Earth?
The answer begins with an honest acknowledgment of our failures – a recognition that we have allowed ignorance and division to guide our actions, often at the expense of our shared humanity. From this recognition must spring a profound transformation, a shift in consciousness that prioritizes the divine principles of compassion, justice, and sustainability over selfish ambitions.
We must cultivate a new global ethic that transcends national, racial, and ideological boundaries, acknowledging our interconnectedness and shared destiny. Education must play a central role, nurturing minds and hearts to understand that stewardship is not optional but intrinsic to our very existence. Practical examples abound: reforestation projects that heal the scars of deforestation, sustainable farming practices that honor the Earth, and peacebuilding efforts that replace the machinery of war with dialogue and reconciliation.
But this is not enough. Leadership – both individual and collective – must emerge to champion the cause of vicegerency. Every person, in their sphere of influence, can act as a steward, making choices that reflect a commitment to the well-being of the planet and its inhabitants. Governments and organizations must implement policies that prioritize environmental sustainability, social equity, and peacebuilding over short-term gains. Faith communities, too, have a vital role, reminding us of the divine imperative to act as caretakers of creation.
The urgency of our time cannot be overstated. Our world is ravaged by wars – wars fought not only with guns and bombs but with the exploitation of the Earth itself. Climate change, biodiversity loss, and the depletion of natural resources are cries from a wounded planet, demanding immediate action. To ignore these warnings is to risk not only our survival but the integrity of the divine trust we bear.
Now is the moment to reclaim our common humanity, to rise above the divisions that have fractured us and to embrace the shared purpose that unites us. We must act as vicegerents not out of fear but out of love – love for the Creator, for one another, and for the wondrous creation entrusted to our care. Let this universal message awaken hearts and minds across the globe, igniting a movement that will transform the course of history.
In this calling, we find our highest purpose. In this responsibility, we fulfill our divine destiny. Together, let us forge a future worthy of our Creator’s trust, a future where humankind truly lives as the vicegerents of God Almighty on Earth.
Abdulrahaman is the Founder, Initiative for Discovery of Nigeria Heritage and Endowment (IDNHE).
Chairman, National Policy Dialogue.
www.nationalpolicydialogue.org