The Nigerian government has vowed to stand firmly behind Maryam Bukar Hassan, the newly appointed United Nations Global Advocate for Peace, as she embarks on her mission to promote unity and peace worldwide.
Speaking on Monday, the Vice President Kashim Shettima in Abuja, described Maryam’s historic appointment as the first person to hold the role across the UN’s entire Peace and Security Pillar as “well-deserved.”
He praised the Nigerian spoken word artist and peace activist for her unwavering dedication to peacebuilding.
Shettima recalled Maryam’s viral video, Violence has no Religion, which he described as a defining moment in her career.
“I have watched that particular video more than a hundred times because it’s very inspiring. That is the Nigeria of our dream, and she has been consistent in her message,” he said.
Referencing former US House Speaker Tip O’Neill’s words that “all politics is local,” the Vice President noted Maryam’s commitment to addressing the challenges of her home state, Borno, as an equally inspiring aspect of her work.
He assured her of the administration’s “unflinching support,” noting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government is “pro-youth” and will align with her peace mission.
“Be rest assured, Maryam, that you’re not alone. We’re in this together, and whatever support you need, we’ll give you,” Shettima said.
Maryam, in her remarks, said her mission was to deliver the message of peace to the world while beginning her work in Nigeria.
She called for collaboration with the federal government to create an enabling environment for her advocacy projects, stressing that peacebuilding “is not something we can do alone.”
Her team outlined a two-year plan to build a global coalition of young creative voices to spread peace messages, starting with projects that address Nigeria’s security challenges.
