Kaduna Polytechnic Alumni Hold Congress/ Symposium in Kogi State Call for Peace-Driven Communication to Unite Nigeria
The Kaduna Polytechnic Alumni Association has held its annual Congress and Symposium in Lokoja, Kogi State, with a strong call on members to become advocates of peace and responsible communication in the quest to build a better and more united Nigeria.
The event, which drew alumni from diverse professional backgrounds across the State, provided a platform for reflection on the role of effective communication in promoting national unity and preventing conflict at the grassroots and national levels.
Delivering a keynote paper titled “Promoting Peace and National Unity Through Effective Communication: The Strategic Role of Kaduna Polytechnic Alumni in Strengthening Our Communities,” a veteran journalist with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Mrs. Khadija Abubakar Isa, urged alumni of the institution to leverage their influence, networks and credibility to foster peace in their respective communities.
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According to Khadija, Kaduna Polytechnic alumni possess a unique capacity to shape public discourse positively because of their wide national spread and professional diversity.
“As alumni of this great institution, we have the ability to create networks that stretch across communities, states and institutions. Like a well-built web, the information we spread can either strengthen unity or tear it apart,” she said.
She stressed that words, when used carelessly, could inflame tensions, while responsible communication could unite people across ethnic, religious and cultural divides.
“Every word we speak is a thread. Collectively, we can weave a stronger, more peaceful and more united Nigeria. Today, we are gathered not just as professionals, but as custodians of Nigeria’s peace, unity and future,” Khadija added.
The veteran journalist noted that Nigeria’s diversity should be seen as a strength rather than a weakness, stressing that many conflicts in the country are often fueled by misinformation, rumours and inflammatory narratives.
“Our greatest challenge is not our diversity; it is the way we communicate across that diversity. Across the country today, we see conflicts sparked by rumours, youth restiveness driven by misinformation, and rising mistrust among ethnic and religious groups,” she observed.
Khadija emphasized that no nation could develop where its citizens lack the ability to communicate with respect, clarity and empathy.
“Most conflicts do not begin with weapons; they begin with words. A careless broadcast, a provocative statement or an unverified post can destabilise a peaceful community,” she warned.
She further explained that Kaduna Polytechnic alumni are uniquely positioned to promote peace because of their strong presence in key sectors of national life.
“We are represented in government, media, engineering, business, ICT, education, security, health, finance and entrepreneurship. Kaduna Polytechnic trains problem-solvers—people who turn theory into practical solutions,” Isa said.
Highlighting the institution’s long history since its establishment in 1956, she noted that the alumni body cuts across generations, creating what she described as “an intergenerational network capable of driving consistent national values.”
She challenged alumni to become defenders of truth by countering misinformation, modelling respectful dialogue in workplaces and online spaces, mentoring young people, and promoting narratives that emphasise unity rather than division.
“Younger people listen more to successful alumni than to formal institutions. When we mentor them, we are shaping the next generation of peaceful communicators,” she said.
Khadija also outlined an action plan for both individual members and the association, urging alumni to verify information before sharing it, avoid inflammatory language and use their platforms to encourage dialogue and understanding.
She called on the association to strengthen partnerships with security agencies, civil society organisations and community leaders, while also using its social media platforms to spotlight stories that promote cohesion.
In her concluding remarks, Khadija reminded participants that peace is a collective responsibility.
“The strength of a nation is not only in its military, economy or politics; it is in the way its people communicate and understand one another. Peace is not the responsibility of government alone. It begins with what we say, how we say it, and why we say it,” she said.
She urged members to ensure that the symposium becomes a turning point rather than just another event.
“If we communicate better, we will trust more. If we trust more, we will cooperate more. And if we cooperate more, Nigeria will rise,” Khadija concluded.
Here is the corrected and polished version of the statement with proper grammar, spelling, and clarity:
The Branch President, Comrade Sule Buhari Omeiza, appreciated the keynote speaker, Hajia Khadija Abubakar, and also thanked the Maigari of Lokoja, Alhaji Ibrahim Gambo Kabir Maikarfi IV; SUBEB Chairman Kogi State Mallam Abdulrazak Mohammed Yusuf; the Majority Leader of the State Assembly, Honorable Suleiman Abdulrazak; Alhaji Habib Omuya of Zenith Bank; Qs Aminu Abubakar Suleiman AAS and all other alumni members who supported the programme morally, spiritually, and financially.
Comrade Omeiza further emphasized the need for an intensified membership drive across the three senatorial districts of the state.
(Democracy Newsline Newspaper, December 16th 2025)
