Mirror Newspaper leads national debate on salt intake, honours Nigeria’s unsung heroes
Maureen Aguta
The Mirror Newspaper has announced plans to host a National Conference and Awards Ceremony aimed at deepening public awareness on healthy diets while celebrating individuals whose contributions to national development often go unnoticed.
The event, themed “X-raying the Salt: Safeguarding National Health,” is scheduled for April 23, 2026, at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Conference and Exhibition Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.
According to the organisers, the conference will convene policymakers, public health experts, industry leaders and civil society organisations to examine the rising health risks associated with excessive salt consumption and its implications for Nigeria’s overall wellbeing.
As part of the programme, the management and editorial board of The Mirror Newspaper have invited the Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Mr. Akinbode Oluwafemi, to deliver the keynote address.
In a formal invitation signed by the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of The Mirror Newspaper, Mr. Stanley Ihedigbo, Oluwafemi was selected in recognition of his sustained contributions to public health advocacy, corporate accountability and citizen participation across Africa.
He is expected to speak on the topic, “X-raying the Insidious Sweetness of Salt,” offering critical insights into how excessive salt intake silently fuels hypertension, heart disease and other non-communicable illnesses in Nigeria and beyond.
The organisers said the conference is designed to stimulate informed dialogue on preventive healthcare, responsible food production and the urgent need for stronger regulatory frameworks to protect consumers.
“Salt consumption remains one of the silent drivers of preventable illnesses in our society. This conference represents our modest contribution to national development by drawing attention to an issue that affects millions of Nigerians daily,” Ihedigbo said.
Beyond the conference, the event will also feature the Mirror Newspaper Excellence Awards for Silent Heroes, a special initiative created to recognise individuals whose impactful contributions across various sectors rarely receive public attention.
The Silent Heroes Awards will honour teachers, health workers, community leaders, social advocates, innovators and professionals whose quiet dedication continues to shape communities and institutions nationwide.
“These are people who may never make the headlines, yet their impact is deeply felt in homes, schools, clinics and communities. It is time to bring them out of the shadows and celebrate their service,” the organisers said.
The awards ceremony is expected to attract dignitaries from government, civil society, the private sector and the media, further reinforcing The Mirror Newspaper’s role as a platform for public enlightenment and social recognition.
With its dual focus on public health advocacy and social appreciation, the 2026 National Conference and Awards Ceremony is set to be a landmark gathering—one that confronts a critical health challenge while restoring honour to Nigeria’s unsung builders.