Shettima: We Pledge Support for First UN Global Advocate for Peace, Nigeria’s Hassan

•Says Tinubu’s pro-youth govt focused on promoting peace, unity among Nigerians

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

Nigeria has pledged unalloyed support to the newly appointed United Nations Global Advocate for Peace, Maryam Bukar Hassan, in her bid to promote unity and peace across the globe.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who made this known, yesterday, in Abuja, described the appointment of Maryam, a Nigerian spoken word artist and peace advocate who was the first person to hold the role across the UN’s entire Peace and Security Pillar, as well deserved.

Speaking when the United Nations Global Advocate for Peace led her team on a courtesy visit to his office at the State House, Shettima noted that Maryam, had been consistent in her peace advocacy as depicted in one of her videos that went viral: ‘Violence has no Religion’.

“That is the Nigeria of our dream, and she (Maryam) has been consistent, and one of her ardent contributions was that video that went viral: ‘Violence has no Religion’.

“To me, it is the crowning glory of her career. I have watched that particular video more than a hundred times because it’s very inspiring,” the Vice President said.

Taking a leaf from former US House Speaker, Tip O’Neill, who said ‘all politics is local’, Shettima pointed out that Maryam’s resolve to align “with the challenges and the aspirations in her home state of Borno is equally inspiring.”

The Vice President assured the UN Global Advocate for Peace of Nigeria’s unflinching support throughout her tenure, maintaining that the administration of President Bola  Tinubu, a pro-youth administration, will do everything possible to support her cause.

His words: “On behalf of President Bola Tinubu, I want to warmly welcome you and thank you from the bottom of my heart for the great work you’re doing for the UN.

“And most importantly, on behalf of the President, I want to assure you that the present administration is a pro-youth administration, and we will do whatever it takes to support your cause.

“Rest assured, Maryam, that you’re not alone. We’re in this together, and whatever support you need, we’ll give you. In fact, as a politician, it is in my self-enlightened interest to align myself with you because you are promoting peace; you are promoting unity, not creating disunity.

“Believe me, the grass is not greener on the other side. We can make this country great. God has blessed us with enormous human and material resources, and when we properly handle them, we can really transform lives in this country.”

Earlier, leader of the delegation and the UN First Global Advocate for Peace, said her primary duty was to bring the message of peace to the world, just as she noted that she was not only going to be an advocate for United Nations peacekeeping but would also promote the same in Nigeria where she comes from.

The purpose of her visit, according to her, was to showcase the work she and her group had been doing to promote peace and harmony, calling for collaboration with the federal government for an enabling environment for the group to carry out its advocacy project.

“Nigeria is grappling with so many security challenges and as far as my work is concerned, I am to go global and want to start with my own country. This is the reason for our visit. We are trying to showcase what we are doing and to know how we can do this together, as this is not something that we can do alone,” Hassan noted.