My other aunt, Halima, had also suffered at the hands of her husband, who callously hurled her into a glass showcase, leaving her life hanging by a thread. It was a cycle.
Fueled by a determination for justice, my mother Hauwa Maina, an actress and filmmaker, took on the fight, challenging the abusers and demanding accountability.
Inspired by my mother’s unwavering courage, I decided to lend my voice to the cause. As a young science student, poetry was uncharted territory for me.
One fateful day, my mother implored me to shoot a video, a fusion of poetry and raw emotion, denouncing the cycle of violence. Reluctant at first, I finally summoned the courage to step into the spotlight at the age of 16.
The video, titled “Violence Has No Religion,” pierced the hearts of those who watched it, resonating with the masses who yearned for change.
Soon, a message hit my inbox. It would change the course of my life forever. The message was from a stranger from the heart of Borno State, in Northern Nigeria. He confessed that, because of my poem, he had chosen a different path, he would no longer abuse his wife. In that profound moment, my purpose crystalised – I have the power to make a difference, to ignite change, through my words.
Why poetry for peace?
Witnessing the devastating effects of conflict firsthand in Northern Nigeria fueled my passion for peacebuilding. From Boko Haram’s violence in my state to banditry attacks in the northwest region of the country, I have seen the power of how art inspires change.
Contributing my poetry to the UN’s “Peace Begins with Me” campaign alongside global icons such as Nancy Ajram [Lebanese singer and TV personality] and actor Michael Douglas was a powerful experience that solidified my commitment to using the spoken word as a tool for social justice and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
I am dedicated to amplifying messages of peace and empowering others to be changemakers.
My advice to the youth
My advice to young people out there is – be a source of peace; it is the only true path to sustainable development.