Nigerian Poet Designated United Nations Global Advocate for Peace

By: Michael Mike

Maryam Bukar Hassan of Nigeria has been officially designated as the United Nations’ Global Advocate for Peace.

A renowned spoken word artist, poet, and peace advocate, Ms. Bukar uses the power of poetry and performance to champion gender equality, youth empowerment and inclusive peacebuilding.

Bukar has showcased her work on prestigious platforms including the UN SDG Awards, TED Talks and the World Bank Youth Summit. She has collaborated with the UN on initiatives such as the “Peace Begins With Me” poetry video for the International Day of Peace and her impactful spoken word performance at last year’s Summit of the Future.

Her dedication has earned her accolades such as the Sustainable Africa Award at COP28 and finalist recognition for the 2024 UN SDG Creativity Award.

Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, highlighted the significance of her designation, stating that “the dedication of the Global Advocate’s time and energy to this effort will greatly increase awareness of the peace and security priorities of the United Nations, particularly the vital role of women and youth in advancing inclusive and sustainable peace.”

Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo also welcomed the designation, noting that “art has the power to move hearts, inspire action, and bring communities together. Through her compelling words and performances, Ms. Bukar has shown how creativity can be a force for peacebuilding, dialogue and inclusion. Her voice will be an important partner in amplifying the UN’s efforts to advance political solutions, empower young people and women, and sustain peace.”

In her new role as the first Global Advocate for the entire Peace and Security Pillar, Ms. Bukar will advance the UN’s peace efforts including through the Women, Peace and Security and Youth, Peace and Security agendas, through storytelling, digital engagement, and public speaking. She will participate in key UN campaigns and events, including an upcoming performance at New York City’s SummerStage festival on Sunday, 27 July, alongside renowned artists Femi Kuti and Elida Almeida, among others.

Nigerian Poet Designated United Nations Global Advocate for Peace

Emir lauds ACReSAL’s impact on rural dwellers in Gombe

Alhaji Yakubu Kwairanga, the Emir of Funakaye, on Friday, lauded Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project’s impact on the lives and livelihoods of rural dwellers in Gombe State.

Kwairanga gave the commendation in Bajoga town of Funakaye Local Government Area of Gombe State during the distribution of energy-efficient cooking stoves to communities in the council.

He stated that ACReSAL project had helped in improving the lives of rural dwellers especially with its intervention in addressing land degradation, climate change impacts, and promoting sustainable development.

He said that ACReSAL had become a household name in view of the numerous environmental and empowerment projects being carried out in various communities across the state.

“I want to commend ACReSAL for their efforts in ensuring that rural dwellers and their livelihoods are protected.
“This is really commendable as living standards of residents of many communities have been improved.

“Today, energy-efficient cooking stoves are being distributed to rural dwellers and we are very happy because it will help improve their lives and help them save money.

“The tree planting campaign by ACReSAL is really impressive as it is helping to reclaim our land which has been affected by desertification,” he said.

Kwairanga warned beneficiaries of the stoves not to sell them, stressing that the essence of the distribution was to help alleviate economic challenges associated with cooking while helping to protect the environment.

Also speaking, the Gombe State ACReSAL Project Coordinator, Dr Sani Jauro, said the distribution of the energy-efficient cooking stoves was part of efforts to mitigate the impact of climate change.

Jauro said no fewer than 800 stoves would be distributed to seven communities in the Council while the traditional rulers would be given 100.

He stated that the stoves would help reduce dependence on traditional, inefficient cooking methods, which contribute to deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions.

“These stoves are very efficient, as they use small amounts of briquettes and they will help low-income households to reduce costs while minimising deforestation caused by tree felling for cooking fuel.”

The state coordinator said that the event also provided an avenue for ACReSAL to engage with stakeholders at the grassroots on critical climate-change-related issues.

Jauro said that the event was also leveraged to sensitise the grassroots on the need to support Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State’s efforts at tackling environmental challenges by sustaining ACReSAL project and encouraging tree planting.

Corroborating Kwairanga, Jauro said that ACReSAL has impacted on lives and livelihoods of the people of the state, empowering women and youths out of poverty.

He said that ACReSAL projects in the state have restored degraded land, improved agricultural practices, and strengthened rural livelihoods through community-driven approaches.

He called on residents of the state to approach any of their nurseries across the state to collect free tree seedlings for planting, stressing that the task of combating impact of climate change was a collective approach.

Emir lauds ACReSAL’s impact on rural dwellers in Gombe

Mother raises alarm as 2-year-old daughter stolen from hotel in Aba

By: Zagazola Makama

A 20-year-old woman, Elizabeth Alaoma, has reported the disappearance of her two-year-old daughter, Precious Ahiwe, under suspicious circumstances while lodging at a hotel in Aba, Abia State.

The incident occurred on the night of July 22, after Alaoma checked into Hotel De California in the city with her daughter, following an invitation by a man identified as Promise and a woman he introduced as his sister.

According to Alaoma, Promise took her out under the guise of buying food around 10:00 p.m., but later abandoned her at the food vendor’s location. She rushed back to the hotel only to discover that her daughter, Promise, and the woman had all vanished, and the hotel room key had already been returned to the receptionist.

A search at the hotel led to the recovery of the child’s clothes. Two hotel staff the receptionist, Victor Uzoma (17), and the manager, Emmanuel Kalu (35) were taken into custody for questioning.

Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and recover the missing child as investigations continue.
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