INEC Chairman, Ministers, Others To Headline ACOE’s 4th Anniversary Conference In Abuja
By Sunday Etuka
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, ministers and other top government functionaries are expected to headline the fourth anniversary conference of the Association of Corporate Online Editors (ACOE) in Abuja.
The association disclosed this on Thursday at a press conference in Abuja, where it unveiled a three-day programme featuring a fitness and humanitarian outreach, a professional training seminar on artificial intelligence, and its 2nd Annual Lecture and Awards.
Addressing journalists, ACOE Chairman, Comrade Shola Akingboye, said the programme was designed to reflect the identity and values of the association.
“The Association of Corporate Online Editors has, over the past four years, remained committed to promoting speed, accuracy and truth in digital journalism, while encouraging professionalism, ethical standards and responsible journalism in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving media environment,” he said.
He explained that the celebration will open with a physical fitness activity for members, after which they will visit motherless homes to offer support and care to children and others in need.
“We believe that a healthy journalist is better positioned to serve society effectively,” Akingboye said.
He added that journalism goes beyond reporting society’s problems to include identifying with vulnerable people and making a difference in whatever modest way possible.
On the second day, members will attend a training seminar on ethical digital journalism in the era of artificial intelligence, themed “What the AI Will Not Do.”
The session is aimed at equipping members to navigate the opportunities and risks of AI while holding on to the core principles of accuracy, verification, fairness, accountability and ethics.
“Artificial Intelligence presents enormous opportunities for journalism, but it also presents serious concerns around misinformation, deepfakes, fabricated content, copyright, manipulation and the erosion of public trust,” he said.
The ACOE chairman stressed that technology must serve journalism and must never replace the professional judgment and ethical responsibility of the journalist.
The climax of the anniversary will be the 2nd Annual Lecture and Awards, scheduled for Thursday, November 19, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., at the Army Resources Centre, Asokoro, Hall A, Mambilla Barracks, Abuja.
The lecture will be themed “Roadmap to 2027: Strengthening Electoral Security Through Collaboration Between INEC, the Media, and Political Parties for Credible and Hitch Free Elections.”
Akingboye described the theme as timely as the country moves towards the 2027 general elections. “The responsibility for credible and peaceful elections cannot rest on the shoulders of one institution alone,” he said.
He noted that INEC, political parties, security agencies, the media and citizens all have roles to play, and called for stronger collaboration and communication among them.
He urged the media to ensure that information reaching the public is verified, accurate, balanced and responsibly presented, while confronting misinformation, disinformation, fake news, hate speech and AI generated deceptive content.
The ACOE chairman also appealed to political parties and their supporters to embrace issue-based campaigns and avoid statements capable of heating up the polity. He urged INEC to keep strengthening communication, transparency and engagement with stakeholders.
“We want the lecture to go beyond speeches,” he said, adding that it should give stakeholders the chance to exchange ideas and develop workable solutions for safer and more peaceful elections in 2027.
The third day will also feature the ACOE Annual Awards, which will honour individuals and organisations that have distinguished themselves in journalism, democracy, public accountability, electoral development and national service.
“Recognition is not merely about celebrating individuals. It is also about inspiring others to do more,” he said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Chux Ukwuatu, said the 2026 ACOE Annual Lecture and Awards is a three-day event designed to provide a platform for engagement, knowledge sharing, networking and recognition of outstanding contributions.
He disclosed that the INEC Chairman has been selected as the keynote speaker. According to him, the venue is secure, spacious and has adequate parking facilities, and close to 100 participants are expected at the three-day event.
Ukwuatu added that the public lecture is expected to attract distinguished personalities, including ministers, top government functionaries, politicians and representatives of the informal sector.
He said the organising committee is making every effort to ensure the event is well organised and offers a better experience than previous editions
.
Akingboye invited INEC, political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, media professionals and development partners to join the conversation.
“Together, we can strengthen journalism. Together, we can strengthen public trust,” he said.
