*Yadudu, Okunna, Dr. Okoye too
*Obi of Onitsha to chair event
The 2026 All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) scheduled for the International Conference Centre (ICC), Enugu, on September 24 and 25, 2026, will feature the emeritus Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, to deliver the keynote address at the opening ceremony.
Other personalities including the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah; the outgoing President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osuigwe, SAN; the Political Adviser to late Gen. Sani Abacha, and of the Faculty of Law, Bayero University, Kano Prof. Auwal Yadudu, SAN; Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Paul University, Awka, Anambra State, and the Chief Medical-Director, Save a Life Hospital, Port-Harcoirt, Dr. Richard Okoye, as well as other dignitaries, are expected to present papers at the conference, to be chaired by Igwe Agbogidi Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha.
The annual conference, which is the flagship gathering of the Guild, is expected to bring together more than 500 editors from across the country and other distinguished guests to deliberate on critical national and global issues with far-reaching social, economic and political implications.
A statement by the President and General-Secretary of the Guild, Eze Anaba and Onuoha Ukeh, respectively, stated that the conference is particularly significant as it is coming ahead of the 2027 general election.
The theme of this year’s conference, the Guild stated, 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.”
On the first day, Prof. Yadudu will speak on “Public Trust, Electoral Justice and Democratic Stability.” Governor Mbah, will also address the conference and declare the event open.
Ombudsman & Public Protector, This Day Newspapers, Kayode Komolafe and veteran journalist and civil rights campaigner, Owei Lakemfa, will round off the day’s sessions with a joint presentation on “Reporting Terrorism Without Becoming a Tool for Terrorists.”
On the second day, September 25, the Mazi Afam Osigwe, will speak on “Election Petitions in the Digital Age: Independence, Evidence, BVAS and the Courts.” His presentation is scheduled for 9am.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Paul University, Awka, Prof. Okunna, will address the conference on “Neutrality, Professionalism and Election Security in Democratic Governance,” while the Founder and Chief Medical Director of Save A Life Hospital, Dr. Okoye, will speak on “The Human Side of Journalism: Managing Stress, Deadlines and Personal Wellbeing.”
Professor of Journalism and Emerging Media, Kennesaw State University, Georgia, USA, Prof. Farooq A. Kperogi, will examine the conference sub-theme, “When Lies Look Real: Detecting and Debunking AI Disinformation Before, During and After Election.”
The second day will feature an Executive Session at 12:30pm, during which editors will engage governors, political party leaders and heads of government parastatals on issues of national importance.
According to the Guild, the conference will provide platform for editors and other stakeholders to examine pathways for advancing democratic governance, promote national development and strengthen nation-building through responsible and responsive journalism.
The NGE stated that the gathering would also provide opportunity for the media leaders to interrogate the challenges confronting democracy and role of the media in safeguarding credible elections, public trust and democratic values.
