Mirror Newspaper to Host National Conference on Salt Consumption, Honour ‘Heroes of Development’
In a renewed effort to promote public health awareness and recognise outstanding but often overlooked contributors to national development, The Mirror Newspaper has announced plans to host a National Conference and Awards Ceremony themed “X-raying the Salt: Safeguarding National Health” on April 23, 2026, in Lagos.
The conference, scheduled to hold at the LCCI Conference and Exhibition Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, will bring together policymakers, public health experts, industry leaders and civil society organisations to examine the growing health risks associated with excessive salt consumption and its impact on national wellbeing.
As part of the programme, the management and editorial board of The Mirror Newspaper has invited the Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Mr. Akinbode Oluwafemi, to serve as the Keynote Speaker.
In a formal invitation signed by the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of The Mirror Newspaper, Stanley Ihedigbo, Mr. Oluwafemi was selected in recognition of his outstanding contributions to public health advocacy, corporate accountability and citizen participation across Africa.
He is expected to deliver a keynote address titled “X-raying the Insidious Sweetness of Salt,” a presentation that will critically examine how excessive salt consumption silently contributes to hypertension, heart diseases and other non-communicable ailments in Nigeria and beyond.
According to the organisers, 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 is 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 recognition programme dedicated to honouring individuals who have made significant but largely unnoticed contributions in various sectors of national life.
The Silent Heroes Award, according to the organisers, is aimed at celebrating teachers, health workers, community leaders, social advocates, innovators and professionals whose quiet dedication continues to shape society without public acclaim.
“These are people who may never appear on the front pages, yet their impact is deeply felt in communities, institutions and families. We believe it is time to bring them out of the shadows and celebrate their service,” the organisers stated.
The awards ceremony is expected to attract dignitaries from government, civil society, the private sector and the media, further positioning The Mirror Newspaper as a platform for both public enlightenment and social recognition.
With the dual focus on public health advocacy and social appreciation, the 2026 National Conference and Awards Ceremony promises to be a landmark gathering that not only interrogates pressing health challenges but also restores honour to the nation’s unsung builders.
