Stakeholders from the academic, security, humanitarian, student and civil society communities have called for greater collaboration, youth empowerment and peaceful coexistence as the Amb. Bulama Heroes Orphan and Charity Foundation (ABHOCF) commemorated the 2026 International Day of Peace in Kano.
The programme, held on Monday, September 21, 2026, at the Theatre Hall of Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu University (Khairun), was organised by ABHOCF in collaboration with the university under the theme: “Together for a Peaceful, Inclusive and Sustainable Future.”
The event brought together students, university authorities, security agencies, civil society representatives and other stakeholders who spoke extensively on the importance of peace, unity and the role of young people in building a better society.
Amb. Bulama: “Our Youth Deserve Love, Guidance and Opportunity”
Speaking at the occasion, Founder and President of ABHOCF, Ambassador Ramlat Aliyu Bulama, reaffirmed her passion for young people and her tireless efforts towards transforming lives through humanitarian service and youth-focused initiatives.
Amb. Bulama stressed that young people must be loved, guided, empowered and given opportunities to contribute positively to society.
She urged youths to reject violence, hatred and intolerance, encouraging them instead to embrace dialogue, understanding and peaceful coexistence.
“When we invest in our youth, we are investing in peace and in the future of our society. Our young people deserve to be loved, guided, empowered and given the opportunity to fulfil their potential."
She further emphasised that sustainable peace begins from the home and extends to communities, institutions and the nation.
Khairun VC: Education Is a Powerful Tool for Peace
The Vice Chancellor of Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu University (Khairun), in his address, welcomed the initiative and highlighted the important role of universities in promoting peace, tolerance and responsible citizenship.
The Vice Chancellor noted that education should not be limited to academic excellence but must also prepare young people to become responsible citizens who respect diversity, embrace dialogue and contribute positively to their communities.
He commended ABHOCF for bringing the International Day of Peace celebration to the university and for creating a platform where students could engage with important issues affecting society.
The Vice Chancellor stressed the need for collaboration between educational institutions, government, security agencies, civil society and humanitarian organisations in preparing young people to become agents of peace and development.
He encouraged the students to use their education and knowledge to promote unity and peaceful coexistence, rather than allowing differences in background, religion, ethnicity or opinion to become sources of division.
Police Reaffirm Commitment to Peace
The Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, represented by CSP Bala, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to protecting lives and property and maintaining peace across the state.
CSP Bala emphasised that peace and security are shared responsibilities, noting that security agencies require the cooperation of citizens to effectively prevent crime and maintain public safety.
He encouraged young people to reject violence and criminality and to support security agencies by providing useful information.
Students’ Union President: Youths Must Lead the Peace Process
The Students’ Union President of Khairun University highlighted the critical role of students in promoting peace.
The Students’ Union President urged students to embrace dialogue, tolerance and mutual respect, stressing that young people must not only be regarded as leaders of tomorrow but also as important partners in building peace today.
The President appreciated ABHOCF and the university management for providing a platform where students could reflect on their responsibilities to society.
Civil Defence: Young People Are Partners in Security
The representative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) emphasised the importance of youth participation in community security and peacebuilding.
The representative urged young people to see themselves as partners with security agencies, encouraging them to provide credible information, avoid criminal activities and promote peaceful coexistence.
The NSCDC representative also stressed the importance of continuous public enlightenment and cooperation between security agencies and communities.
CSO Representative Calls for Sustainable Peacebuilding
The representative of the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) called for sustained investment in peacebuilding, youth empowerment, education and social inclusion.
The representative stressed that peace should not be treated as a one-day celebration but as a continuous responsibility requiring the commitment of government, communities, security agencies, educational institutions, civil society and young people.
A Collective Commitment to Peace
The different speakers at the programme converged on one central message: sustainable peace requires collective responsibility.
For Amb. Ramlat Bulama, the celebration further demonstrated her commitment to placing young people at the centre of peacebuilding and humanitarian development.
The programme also provided an important platform for the university community, security agencies and civil society to engage with young people and encourage them to become responsible ambassadors of peace.
As participants reflected on the theme of the celebration, the message resonated strongly:
Peace is possible when young people are empowered, differences are respected, communities work together and every citizen takes responsibility for building a peaceful society.
