Vice President Kashim Shettima will on Thursday, September 24, 2026, declare open the 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) in Enugu.

The two-day conference, which is the flagship annual gathering of the Guild, will hold at The Dome, International Conference Centre, Opara Square Road, Enugu, beginning at 2pm on Thursday and continuing on Friday, September 25.

In a statement signed by the President and General Secretary of the NGE, Eze Anaba and Onuoha Ukeh, respectively, the Guild said Shettima would address editors and other participants on the conference theme, “The Ballot, the Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive,” as well as the sub-theme, “When Lies Look Real: Detecting and Debunking AI Disinformation Before, During and After Election.

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The Vice President is also expected to speak on other issues relating to democracy, elections, press freedom and national development.

The statement said Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, would also address the conference.

More than 500 editors from across the country, alongside government officials, academics, civil society representatives and other stakeholders, are expected to attend the conference, which will focus on critical national and global issues with significant social, economic and political implications.

The Guild said His Royal Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, would chair the conference, while former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, would deliver the keynote address.

Other speakers lined up for the conference include Professor Auwal Yadudu of the Faculty of Law, Bayero University, Kano, who will speak on “Public Trust, Electoral Justice and Democratic Stability.”

The immediate past President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, will address the editors on “Election Petitions in the Digital Age: Independence, Evidence, BVAS and the Courts.”

On the second day, respected journalist, public speaker and former Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian Newspapers, Martins Oloja as well as newspaper columnist and activist, Owei Lakemfa, will speak on “Reporting Terrorism Without Becoming a Tool for Terrorists.”

Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Paul University, Awka, Professor Chinyere 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, Port Harcourt, Dr Richard Okoye, will speak on “The Human Side of Journalism: Managing Stress, Deadlines and Personal Wellbeing.”

Professor of Journalism and Emerging Media at Kennesaw State University, Georgia, United States, Farooq A. Kperogi, will examine the conference sub-theme on artificial intelligence and disinformation, focusing on the detection and debunking of false information before, during and after elections.

The second day will also feature an Executive Session at 12:30pm, 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 will provide a platform for editors and other stakeholders to examine practical pathways for strengthening democratic governance, promoting national development and advancing nation-building through responsible and responsive journalism.

The NGE said the gathering would also enable media leaders to interrogate the challenges confronting democracy and examine the role of the media in safeguarding credible elections, rebuilding public trust and strengthening democratic values.

The statement said the Guild ANEC is supported by Enugu State Government, UNESCO, Craneburg, NNPC, Zenith Bank, NCC and others.

By Enuma Aghadinuno, Abuja

Livebridge Properties and Investment Limited has extended medical and humanitarian support to more than 1,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and persons living with disabilities in the Karamajiji community, Abuja.

The outreach, organised as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme, provided beneficiaries with free medical consultations, health checks and essential medications, as well as food items, wheelchairs and other relief materials.

Speaking during the exercise, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Livebridge Properties and Investment Limited, Dr.

Nwaneri Obinna Flaker, said the initiative was driven by the company’s commitment to supporting vulnerable people within its host communities.

Flaker said the company had made it a regular practice to reach out to persons living with disabilities and other vulnerable groups at least once or twice a year.

“We have taken it upon ourselves to give back to our host community as a company. We have made it a norm every year, at least once or twice in a year, to come to the disabled persons community,” he said.

According to him, interactions with residents over the years showed that many members of the community faced basic health challenges that could be addressed through primary healthcare interventions.

“We come here and reach out to them medically. From our interactions and past interviews, it has come to our knowledge that they suffer certain ailments which ordinarily basic primary healthcare can actually attend to,” he said.

The Livebridge CEO also highlighted the challenge of healthcare affordability, particularly the rising cost of medicines, which he said was making access to essential healthcare difficult for many Nigerians.

He called for stronger government intervention in primary healthcare delivery to ensure that vulnerable citizens can access basic medical services and essential drugs.

“The cost of medications is often beyond the reach of the average citizen. We believe the government should intervene, especially in primary healthcare delivery, as many Nigerians are unable to access these essential services,” Flaker said.

He described the outreach as an expression of love and humanity, stressing that the company’s intervention was not based on religion, ethnicity, gender or race.

“The message of love was preached by God Himself. God loves us unconditionally. It cuts across race, religion and ethnic nationality. There is no discrimination; we just love,” he said.

Flaker further urged other corporate organisations and individuals with the capacity to support vulnerable Nigerians to contribute to humanitarian efforts in their communities.

“Nothing is too small. Reach out to those in need. There is someone somewhere today who doesn’t know where the next meal will be coming from,” he said.

Also speaking, the Head of Customer Service at Livebridge, Ejembi Alice, said the company considered it important to support vulnerable communities, particularly amid the prevailing economic challenges.

“If those who can support themselves are struggling, just imagine the plight of individuals with disabilities. That’s why we are here today to offer relief and show compassion to this community,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Abdullah Yusuf expressed appreciation to the company for the gesture and prayed for its continued growth and development.

“We are very happy. May God bless you more,” he said.

The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has warned operators of pepper and grinding machines against using rusty or poorly fabricated equipment.

The agency said such equipment could expose consumers to metal contamination and other food-safety risks.

Afolabi Solebo, LASCOPA General Manager/Chief Executive Officer, gave the warning in a statement on Monday in Lagos.

Solebo said the warning followed concerns raised at the 2026 Lagos State Food Safety Conference and Exhibition.

The conference had the theme, ‘From Burden to Solutions – Safe Food Everywhere.

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He urged operators across Lagos to replace traditional cast-iron and unsuitable locally fabricated machines with stainless-steel and food-grade equipment.

Solebo said the widespread use of grinding machines by households, food vendors and restaurants made compliance with food-safety standards imperative.

He listed hospitals, boarding schools, caterers, traders and small-scale food businesses among other users of the machines.

According to him, worn, rusty or corroded grinding equipment could increase the risk of metal contamination during food processing.

The LASCOPA boss also warned that accumulated food residues, dirt and grease from previous grinding activities could compromise food safety and quality.

He said: “Operators must understand that food safety is not optional.

“The use of unsafe or poorly maintained grinding machines exposes consumers to avoidable health risks.”

Solebo said the use of hygienic and food-grade equipment was critical to safeguarding public health.

He disclosed that LASCOPA’s Monitoring and Enforcement Officers would intensify compliance checks at food-processing and grinding points across the state.

The agency, he said, would take appropriate regulatory action against establishments found using unsafe or unsuitable equipment.

The general manager advised operators to clean grinding machines thoroughly after every use and remove accumulated food residues.

He also urged operators to maintain hygienic surroundings and regularly inspect and maintain grinding components.

Solebo said proper maintenance would help prevent food contamination and cross-contamination during processing.

He advised consumers to remain vigilant when patronising grinding points, particularly where equipment appeared deteriorated or unhygienic.

The LASCOPA chief also appealed to politicians and public-spirited individuals providing grinding machines through empowerment programmes to prioritise stainless-steel and food-grade equipment.

He described consumer protection as a shared responsibility between regulators, operators and consumers.

Solebo assured Lagos residents that LASCOPA would sustain consumer enlightenment, market surveillance and enforcement activities across the state.

He urged residents to report unsafe or unhygienic food-processing practices to the agency for investigation and appropriate action.

“Consumers should not remain silent when practices capable of compromising their safety are observed,” he said. (NAN)