Rep Atu Empowers Journalists With Working Tools, Urges Responsible Reporting

The member representing Enugu North/Enugu South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Chimaobi Sam Atu, has empowered media practitioners in his constituency with laptops and other working tools, urging them to use their platforms to promote development and responsible journalism.

Atu presented the laptops, on Friday, at the closing ceremony of a Digital Skills for Agricultural Development 2026 seminar, organised as part of his constituency project on providing modern tools for agricultural extension activities.

 He also called on journalists and content creators to promote agriculture and raise awareness about the dangers of using harmful chemicals to preserve food.

He said the empowerment was designed to equip media practitioners with the tools and skills needed to effectively perform their duties and contribute to societal development.

Describing journalists as “the main media” and image-makers of government, Atu said the media had a major role in shaping public opinion and influencing how people think and behave.

He urged journalists to report government policies objectively while constructively criticising policies they considered inappropriate.

“The masses believe in the media and I know that you will reshape the reasoning of our people in a good direction and help to announce the government policies that are right. The ones that are not right, you can criticise with respect,” he said.

He urged participants to use digital platforms to encourage youths to embrace agriculture, stressing that the sector extends beyond farming to processing, preservation, marketing and technology.

The lawmaker particularly warned against the use of unapproved chemicals in preserving food, urging journalists and content creators to educate the public on safe agricultural practices.

He also encouraged young Nigerians to take advantage of opportunities in the agricultural value chain and commended the Enugu State Government for creating an enabling environment for youths and investing in agriculture.

Atu further urged Nigerians to support policies aimed at improving the economy, noting that reforms could be difficult in the short term but produce long-term benefits when properly implemented.

Speaking at the programme, a lecturer at Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Dr. Chidi Ezinwa, urged journalists to make agriculture more attractive to young people through sustained and constructive reporting.

“The media should create conversations around agriculture and make it more attractive. The media should change the narrative. Media should promote agriculture,” Ezinwa said.