The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has said that reports portraying insecurity in Kaduna State have been exaggerated, insisting that conditions on the ground do not reflect the negative public perception.
Chairman of the planning committee for the Nigeria Public Relations Week, Croc City 2026, Yomi Okusanya, made the remarks on Monday after inspecting the state’s command and control centre.
Okusanya commended the Kaduna State Government for establishing the facility, which he said plays a key role in coordinating responses to security challenges.
He noted that there had been pressure on the institute to relocate the 2026 edition of the Nigeria Public Relations Week from Kaduna due to safety concerns, but said such fears were not fully justified.
“Yes, it has some challenges like every other place, but efforts have been made to tackle this issue, and it’s not as bad as what people think,” he said.
He urged the state government to improve communication around its security initiatives and consider replicating the command and control centre across all 23 local government areas.
During the visit, the delegation also toured the Badarawa Primary Healthcare Centre and other public facilities, including Kawo General Hospital, Government Secondary School Nasarawan Rigachikun, the Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development, and the ongoing Kakuri Southern Terminal project.
Commissioner of Health, Umma Ahmad, said 255 primary healthcare centres in the state have been upgraded to Level 2 status, operating 24-hour services with improved staffing and medical supplies.
She explained that the centres now provide antenatal care, delivery services, immunisation, and emergency obstetric and neonatal care, with referral systems supported by ambulances for advanced treatment cases.
“A woman can walk into this facility, do her antenatal clinic, deliver here, and her baby will receive immunisation and basic care,” she said.
Ahmad added that the state government has improved welfare for health workers, including the implementation of CONMESS and CONHESS salary structures, as well as an increase in hazard allowances.