Harrison EDEH

Former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, and His Royal Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, are some of the revered speakers at the forthcoming conference of the Nigerian Guild of Editors next month.

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has announced that its 2026 All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) will be held at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Enugu, on September 24 and 25.

Accordingly, more than 500 editors from across the country, along with other distinguished guests, are expected to attend the annual conference, the Guild’s flagship gathering.

The 2026 edition will focus on critical national and global issues, particularly the role of the media in strengthening democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The theme of the conference is “The Ballot, the Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive,” while the sub-theme is “When Lies Look Real: Detecting and Debunking AI Disinformation Before, During and After Election.”

His Royal Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, will chair the conference.

In a statement signed by the NGE President and General Secretary, Eze Anaba and Onuoha Ukeh, respectively, the Guild said the conference would provide an opportunity for media leaders and other stakeholders to examine the challenges confronting democracy and the media’s role in safeguarding credible elections, public trust and democratic values.

Former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the opening ceremony on September 24 at 2 pm.

Also on the first day, Prof. Auwal Yadudu of the Faculty of Law, Bayero University, Kano, will speak on “Public Trust, Electoral Justice and Democratic Stability.” At the same time, Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, will address the conference.

Ombudsman and Public Protector of ThisDay Newspapers, Kayode Komolafe, and veteran journalist and civil rights campaigner, Owei Lakemfa, will jointly present a paper titled “Reporting Terrorism Without Becoming a Tool for Terrorists.”

The second day will feature a presentation by the immediate past President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mazi Afam Osigwe, on “Election Petitions in the Digital Age: Independence, Evidence, BVAS and the Courts.” His presentation is scheduled for 9 am.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Paul University, Awka, Prof. Chinyere Okunna, will speak on “Neutrality, Professionalism and Election Security in Democratic Governance.”