By Yunusa Mohammed Makarfi
I took Soye Opuiyo, a former university contemporary, and her colleague—both visiting from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for the 2026 Nigeria Public Relations Week (NPRW)—on a curated journey through the heartbeat of Kaduna. Our itinerary was simple yet profound: the sprawling corridors of the Abubakar Mahmud Gumi Central Market, a quintessential local suya spot, and the storied Akwa Restaurant. Watching these visitors from the South immerse themselves in the vibrant commerce of our markets and savour the unique, smoky flavours of our cuisine served as a poignant reminder: the authentic story of Kaduna is not found in the sterile echoes of distant reportage, but in the enduring hospitality of its people and the palpable energy of its streets.
This personal encounter sets the stage for a momentous week as the "Croc City" officially hosts the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Week, themed around the critical imperatives of food security and public trust. For those of us within the communications profession, the old Hausa adage, “Kwalliya ta biya kudin sabulu” (The makeup has justified the cost of the soap), has never been more relevant.
The strategic partnership between the state and the NIPR is successfully recalibrating the national spotlight, shifting the focus towards tangible progress in peace-building, infrastructure, and institutional reforms.
The impact of this week is already manifest through strategic engagements that underscore a commitment to transparency and regional stability. A primary highlight was the Kaduna State Traditional Rulers Strategic Forum. Led by the Emir of Zazzau, HRH Amb. Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli, this session established the "Kaduna Peace Model," positioning traditional institutions not merely as symbols of heritage, but as functional communication anchors for national stability.
Furthermore, the High-Level Government Communication Workshop sharpened internal capacity for vision alignment and governance delivery. In an era where policy must earn public trust, ensuring that developmental strides are communicated with professional rigour is a prerequisite for "Renewed Hope".
This was complemented by the Kaduna Youth Summit at Kaduna State University, where the next generation engaged on transitioning from vulnerability to productivity, with a vital focus on substance abuse prevention.
The week’s momentum was further solidified by an extensive project tour with the NIPR national leadership. This tour provided a platform for the nation’s pre-eminent PR minds to witness transformation firsthand, including visits to the Command and Control Centre of the Kaduna State Vigilance Service and the newly established Emergency Call Centre.
During these engagements, the Chairman of the National Planning Committee for the NPRW Croc City 2026, Chief Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, fnipr, offered a perspective that resonates deeply with our current reality. He noted that the perceived security challenges in the state are often "highly exaggerated" by those viewing the state from afar. He emphasised that the peace and hospitality encountered on the ground tell a far more compelling and accurate story than the sensationalised narratives often found in the media. His observation reinforces the belief that first-hand experience remains the ultimate antidote to prejudice.
Today marks the pinnacle of these activities with the official opening ceremony at the newly commissioned Kaduna State Banquet Hall. The Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Kashim Shettima, GCON, is expected to perform the formal honours in the company of Governor Senator Uba Sani, CON. The ceremony will feature a keynote address by H.E. Amb. Dr. Bryiyne Chitsunge on the imperatives of public relations in moving food security from policy papers to the public plate.
As professionals gather to deliberate on the future of public relations and the complexities of national reputation, I warmly welcome every delegate to the "Croc City." Public relations, at its core, is about truth well told. It is my sincere hope that as you deliberate on strategic narratives, you also find the opportunity to step out and experience the diverse sights and sounds of Kaduna—from historic landmarks to bustling social hubs. May your stay be productive, and may you carry back to your respective chapters the story of a state that is undeniably, and sustainably, on the rise.
Yunusa Mohammed Makarfi, is a staff with the Ministry of Information, Kaduna