Stakeholders push low-salt diets at Mirror Conference to tackle health risks

L-R: Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Advantage Health Africa, Ms. Abimbola Adebakin; Secretary -General, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Otunba Femi Oke; Director, Rail Transport, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Engr. Olasunkanmi Okusaga; Spiritual Father of the day, Grand Chief Iman of Oyo Land,
Sheikh Al-Imam Barrister Bilal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu; Executive Chairman, Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilesa-Ijebu, Asiwaju Kunle Kalejaye (SAN); National President, Union of Market Traders Employers of Nigeria (NUMTEN) Com. James Chukwuma Ogu; Commissioner of Police, Federal Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Annex, Alagbon Lagos, CP Adeola Ojugbele; International Coordinator, African Farming Project (AFP), Pastor (Dr.) Bright Isaac Okwu and Senior Manager, Glitter Success Limited, Mr. Sunday Adebayo, at The Mirror Newspaper Conference and Award Ceremony in Lagos State on Thursday

Chinedum Ukaegbu

Concerned by the increasing burden of lifestyle-related illnesses, experts have urged Nigerians to limit their intake of salt and sugary foods as part of a broader push for healthier living.

This call formed the centerpiece of discussions at The Mirror Newspaper Conference and Excellence Awards for Heroes of Our Time, held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Alausa, Ikeja.

Chairman of the occasion and legal icon, Asiwaju Kunle Kalejaye (SAN), emphasised the importance of personal responsibility in maintaining good health, especially as individuals grow older.

He advised Nigerians to adopt healthier lifestyles by cutting down on excessive salt and sugar consumption.

“People must take responsibility for what they eat and drink. Reduce salt and sugary foods, take more water, and de-emphasise canned juices and drinks,” Kalejaye said.

He also commended The Mirror Newspaper for its rising profile in the media landscape, describing it as “an embodiment of integrity,” while urging citizens to remain committed to justice and fairness in national life.

The conference, themed “X-raying the Salt: Safeguarding National Health,” featured a keynote address by the Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Akinbode Oluwafemi, who raised concerns over excessive salt consumption in Nigeria.

Represented by CAPPA’s Associate Director for Climate and Extractives, Olamide Martins, Oluwafemi described high salt intake as a “silent driver” of hypertension and other life-threatening conditions.

He disclosed that Nigerians consume an average of 10 grams of salt daily—double the less than 5 grams recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

According to him, hypertension affects between 30 and 40 percent of Nigerian adults and is a major contributor to heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure.

“Many sudden deaths we often attribute to mysterious causes are actually linked to undiagnosed or poorly managed non-communicable diseases driven by what we consume daily,” he noted.

Oluwafemi further identified structural challenges such as insecurity in farming communities, poor transportation systems, rising food costs, and increased reliance on processed foods as factors contributing to unhealthy diets.

He pointed out that commonly consumed items like bouillon cubes and processed foods contain high sodium levels, significantly increasing daily salt intake.

Despite these challenges, he acknowledged ongoing government efforts, including plans to introduce mandatory salt reduction targets and front-of-pack warning labels, aimed at reducing national salt consumption by 30 percent.

In his remarks, the Editor-in-Chief of The Mirror Newspaper, Rev. Stanley Ihedigbo, reiterated the importance of public awareness on health issues while highlighting the purpose of the awards segment of the event.

“We gather to honour men and women whose sacrifices, though sometimes quiet, have left indelible marks on our communities and national development,” he said.

He explained that the “Heroes of Our Time” awards celebrate individuals across various sectors, including farmers, factory workers, media professionals, and public servants whose contributions often go unnoticed.

Delivering a goodwill message, the Spiritual Father of the day, Shaykh Billal Akinola Husayn Akeugberu, Grand Chief Imam of Oyoland, urged Nigerians to embrace healthy living in line with moral and religious teachings.

He encouraged citizens to uphold values that promote both physical and spiritual well-being, while also offering prayers for good health and longevity.

Participants at the conference stressed the need for sustained collaboration among government agencies, industry stakeholders, civil society organisations, and the media to effectively tackle Nigeria’s growing public health challenges.

The event also featured the presentation of awards to distinguished individuals and organisations in recognition of their exceptional contributions to society.

Among the honourees were the Alagodo of Agodo Kingdom in Alimosho Local Government Area, His Majesty Oba Mudashiru Salaudeen Odejobi; Secretary of Conference, Methodist Church Nigeria, The Rt. Rev’d Dr. Babatunde Abiodun Taiwo; Bishop of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Idanre Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Matthew Adenipekun Falade; and National and International Coordinator of the Africa Farming Project (AFP), Dr. Bright Isaac Okwu.

Others included Engr. Amos Semasa of the Lagos State Ferry Services; Bishop (Col.) Paul Vincent of Persistence Works TV Network; Sir (Engr.) Humphrey Osita; Engr. Olasunkanmi Okusaga of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA); AIG Simeon Akpanudom of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID); and the Director of Media and Advocacy at the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Also honoured were Ambassador Iruoma Ofortube of the Thyroid Awareness and Support Initiative (TASI); Obong Churchill Tom Udoh of Westgate Enterprise Group; Mr. Sunday Michael Ogwu of Pinnacle Daily; Mrs. Victoria Ibezim Ohaeri of Spaces for Change; ASP Dr. Ebenezer Emmanuel Valentine; Ms. Abimbola Adebakin of Advantage Health Africa; Hon. Francis Barthlomew Chima (OmoBarca); UK-based broadcaster Richard Edoki; Mr. Obinna Chima of ThisDay Newspapers; and Engr. (Chief) Sir Bamidele Babatunde Anjorin of NUMTEN.
Additional awardees included Mr. Mojeed Alabi of DevReporting; Nze Chidigodo Okpara of Marine Concept Ltd; UK-based Nigerian Mr. David Mozie; Mr. Kingsley Ogbonna of Precise Platform, and others.

The conference successfully combined advocacy for healthier living with recognition of individuals driving positive change across the country, reinforcing The Mirror Newspaper’s commitment to national development and public well-being.