• Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah

The United States government is availing $125,000 grant for the presentation of the historic Lejja iron-smelting site in Enugu State.

This was disclosed in a statement by the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos , yesterday, emphasising that the fund will support the conservation, 3D digital documentation and physical preservation of the site, which dates to approximately 2000 BC.

The U.S. Consul General, Brandon Hudspeth, noted that the Lejja Iron-Smelting Site tells a 4,000-year-old story of ingenuity, innovation and technological sophistication.

The fund was provided through the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) to the Centre for Memories in Enugu to support the digital documentation and physical preservation of the historic Lejja iron-smelting site in Enugu State.

According to the Consulate, the project will support the conservation, 3D digital documentation and physical preservation of the site, which dates to approximately 2000 BC.

The project’s implementation by the Centre for Memories, led by U.S. exchange alumnus, Iheanyi Igboko, reflects the enduring connections forged through the Cultural Heritage Forward program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of State and organised in partnership with the Smithsonian Institute .

• [File photo] David Umahi

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said he will visit the Benin-Asaba federal highway today in response to the widespread complaints, protests and severe gridlock caused by the deteriorating condition of the road.

Umahi disclosed this during the flag-off ceremony for the dualisation of the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road, according to a video shared on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze.

The minister said that he would meet with independent engineers, the concessionaire handling the project and the state government to find a solution to the worsening situation.

“On Tuesday, we are off to Benin-Asaba. I want Nigerians to be assured that when we get there, we’ll solve that problem,” Umahi said.

He explained that the poor state of the road was linked to the Federal Government’s attempt to involve the private sector in road development through concession arrangements.

“It’s not caused by Ministry of Works; it’s caused by, you know, our attempt to involve private sector in road development, as it’s done in other places,” he said.

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) will hold its 2026 All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Enugu, on September 24 and 25.

The flagship annual gathering is expected to attract more than 500 editors from across the country and distinguished guests to discuss critical national and global issues with social, economic and political implications. It comes ahead of the 2027 general election.

The theme is “The Ballot, the Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive,” with the sub-theme “When Lies Look Real: Detecting and Debunking AI Disinformation Before, During and After Election.” His Royal Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, will chair the conference.

Former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, will deliver the keynote address at the opening ceremony on September 24 from 2pm. Prof. Auwal Yadudu of the Faculty of Law, Bayero University, Kano, will speak on “Public Trust, Electoral Justice and Democratic Stability.” Enugu State Governor Dr. Peter Mbah will also address the conference.

Ombudsman and Public Protector of ThisDay Newspapers, Kayode Komolafe, and veteran journalist and civil rights campaigner Owei Lakemfa will jointly present on “Reporting Terrorism Without Becoming a Tool for Terrorists.”

On September 25, immediate past President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, will speak at 9am on “Election Petitions in the Digital Age: Independence, Evidence, BVAS and the Courts.” Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Paul University, Awka, Prof. Chinyere Okunna, will address “Neutrality, Professionalism and Election Security in Democratic Governance.” 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, USA, Prof. Farooq A. Kperogi, will examine the sub-theme on detecting and debunking AI disinformation around elections.

An Executive Session is scheduled for 12:30pm on the second day, during which editors will engage governors, political party leaders and heads of government agencies on issues of national importance.

According to a statement by NGE President Eze Anaba and General Secretary Onuoha Ukeh, the conference will provide a platform for editors and stakeholders to examine pathways for advancing democratic governance, promoting national development and strengthening nation-building through responsible journalism. It will also allow media leaders to interrogate challenges facing democracy and the media’s role in safeguarding credible elections, public trust and democratic values.