Nigeria, Sept. 29 -- We do not often see women breaking boundaries in our society, especially in a male-dominated Arewa environment where women are too often seen as belonging to the kitchen and the "oza room" (apologies to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR). So, when a woman dares to dream, breaks free and shatters the glass ceiling to actually live that dream, it is only right that we give her her flowers.

Maryam Bukar is one of such women. The 28-year-old spoken word artist, known on stage as Alhanislam, recently made history as the first United Nations Advocate for Peace. At the opening of the UN General Assembly, she was invited to deliver the opening speech, and she did not disappoint. She spoke with power, with grace, and ...