The 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has commenced in Enugu, South East Nigeria with Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by the Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, among the dignitaries expected to address participants.
Our correspondent reports that the two-day conference, the flagship annual gathering of Nigeria’s editors, is being held at The Dome, International Conference Centre, Opara Square Road, Enugu.
The conference is themed “The Ballot, the Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive,” with the sub-theme, “When Lies Look Real: Detecting and Debunking AI Disinformation Before, During and After Election.”
In a statement signed by the NGE President and General Secretary, Eze Anaba and Onuoha Ukeh, respectively, the Guild said Vice President Shettima would address editors and other participants on the conference themes, as well as issues concerning democracy, elections, press freedom and national development.
Governor Mbah is also expected to address the gathering, which has attracted more than 400 editors from across the country, alongside government officials, academics, civil society representatives and other stakeholders.
The conference is expected to provide a platform for participants to examine major national and global issues with social, economic and political implications, particularly the challenges confronting democratic governance and the media.
The event is being chaired by His Royal Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, while the former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, is scheduled to deliver the keynote address.
Professor Auwal Yadudu of the Faculty of Law, Bayero University, Kano, is among the speakers at the conference. He will speak on “Public Trust, Electoral Justice and Democratic Stability.”
The immediate past President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, had earlier addressed participants on “Election Petitions in the Digital Age: Independence, Evidence, BVAS and the Courts.”
On the second day, a seasoned journalist and former Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian Newspapers, Martins Oloja, and columnist as well as activist, Owei Lakemfa, will speak on “Reporting Terrorism Without Becoming a Tool for Terrorists.”
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Paul University, Awka, Professor Chinyere Okunna, will address the conference on “Neutrality, Professionalism and Election Security in Democratic Governance.”
The Founder and Chief Medical Director of Save A Life Hospital, Port Harcourt, Dr Richard Okoye, will also speak on “The Human Side of Journalism: Managing Stress, Deadlines and Personal Wellbeing.”
Farooq A. Kperogi, a Professor of Journalism and Emerging Media at Kennesaw State University, Georgia, United States, will lead discussions on artificial intelligence and disinformation, focusing on practical approaches to detecting and debunking false information before, during and after elections.
The second day will also feature an executive session at 12:30 p.m., during which editors will engage governors, political party leaders and heads of government agencies and parastatals on issues of national importance.
According to the Guild, the conference is designed to provide editors and other stakeholders with an opportunity to examine practical ways of strengthening democratic governance, promoting national development and advancing nation-building through responsible journalism.
The NGE said the gathering would also enable media leaders to assess the challenges confronting democracy and explore ways the media can contribute to credible elections, rebuild public trust and strengthen democratic values.
