Vice President Kashim Shettima opened the 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) at The Dome, International Conference Centre, Opara Square Road, Enugu, on Thursday, September 24. The two‑day gathering, scheduled to run until Friday, September 25, will focus on the theme “The Ballot, the Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive” and the sub‑theme “When Lies Look Real: Detecting and Debunking AI Disinformation Before, During and After Election.”
In his address, Shettima is expected to discuss democracy, elections, press freedom and national development. Enugu State Governor Dr. Peter Mbah will also speak, while His Royal Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, Obi of Onitsha, will chair the event. Former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, will deliver the keynote speech.
More than 500 editors from across Nigeria, together with government officials, academics, civil society representatives and other stakeholders, will attend. The programme includes talks by Professor Auwal Yadudu (Bayero University), former NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, journalist Martins Oloja, columnist Owei Lakemfa, Professor Chinyere Okunna (Paul University), Dr. Richard Okoye (Save A Life Hospital) and Professor Farooq A. Kperogi (Kennesaw State University) on topics ranging from electoral justice to AI disinformation and the human side of journalism.
The second day will feature an executive session at 12:30 p.m., where editors will engage governors, political party leaders and heads of government agencies on national issues. The conference aims to provide a platform for practical pathways to strengthen democratic governance, promote national development and advance nation‑building through responsible journalism.
The NGE announced that the event is supported by the Enugu State Government, UNESCO, Craneburg, NNPC, Zenith Bank, NCC and other partners.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
