The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed M. M. Fall, has officially welcomed Nigerian poet and storyteller, Maryam Bukar-Hassan, popularly known as Alhan Islam, to the UN House in Abuja following her appointment as the first-ever UN Global Advocate for Peace.
Describing her as an inspiration to youth worldwide, Fall commended Maryam’s spoken word artistry and advocacy, noting the timeliness of her appointment “at a period when peace is under attack.” He emphasized that her voice is critical in championing global peacebuilding efforts and accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
During her visit, Maryam engaged with young people at the UN House, sharing her powerful journey from personal pain to global purpose. She recounted how, at the age of 13, she responded to violence against two of her aunts by writing an emotional letter that her mother recognized as poetry—a moment that sparked her activism and creative expression.
Maryam’s work has since touched millions through “True My Voice,” a youth initiative she founded, which has trained over 500 young storytellers across Africa to use their voices as tools for change.
Her visit served as a testament to the power of storytelling in peacebuilding and the potential of young voices to inspire transformation. The Resident Coordinator reaffirmed the UN’s support for her mission, pledging collaboration with UN Nigeria in advancing her peace advocacy agenda.
