By Amaechi Agbo

In a major boost to digital journalism education, the member representing Enugu North/Enugu South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Chimaobi Sam Atu, has donated state-of-the-art Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilities and brand-new laptops to the Department of Mass Communication at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT).

The lawmaker also pledged a long-term commitment to deepen collaboration and support for the university to enhance the practical training of future media practitioners.

Hon Atu who spoke at the closing ceremony of a Digital Skills for Agricultural Development 2026 seminar on Friday organized as part of his constituency project to provide modern tools for agricultural extension activities, also called on media practitioners to promote agriculture and raise public awareness about the dangers of using harmful and unapproved chemicals to preserve food.

He said the empowerment was aimed at equipping journalists with the tools and skills required to perform their duties effectively and contribute to societal development.

Describing journalists as key image-makers of government, Atu said the media had a significant 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.

Atu urged the participants to use digital platforms to encourage young people to embrace agriculture, stressing that the sector extended beyond farming to processing, preservation, marketing and technology.

Presenting the equipment to the department, Hon. Atu emphasized that modern journalism relies heavily on digital literacy and tech-driven tools. He noted that the gesture is part of his wider initiative to empower media creators and students with the necessary competencies to excel in a rapidly transforming global information landscape.

“The media play a crucial role in forming public opinion and shaping society. To produce globally competitive graduates, our institutions must have the right infrastructure. This donation is intended to bridge the digital gap and ensure that Mass Communication students at ESUT undergo hands-on, experiential learning rather than just theoretical training.” Atu stated during the presentation. “

Speaking while receiving the items on behalf the department, the Head of the Department, Dr Maxwell Ngene expressed immense gratitude to the lawmaker stressing that the donation of the facilities was timely as it aligns with ESUT Management’s new policy on experiential learning driven by Artificial Intelligence.

Dr Ngene further expressed the department’s readiness to strengthen the collaboration with a view to helping the students understand the profession better.

“This donation couldn’t have come at a better time than now. Last week, the management of our University through the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Aloysius-Michaels Okolie organized a three-day training on experiential learning and application of AI in enhancing education. These ICT Facilities are in the right direction.

“Let me also reiterate our resolve to consolidate on the existing collaboration and deepen it further with a view to having more impact in our students. These facilities will go a long way in not only enhancing experiential learning but it will equip our students with the needed skills to become problem-solvers,” the HOD said.

The department head highlighted that having direct access to modern laptops and ICT infrastructure will streamline training in digital content creation, investigative reporting, and multimedia journalism.

The recent donation aligns with a series of human capital developments spearheaded by Hon. Atu in his constituency. The lawmaker has continuously targeted educational reform, previously equipping local schools with mobile smart laboratories and training youth in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and basic soft skills.

It could be recalled that Hon. Atu in 2025 renovated and equipped the Chemistry Laboratory at the Department of Industrial Chemistry at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), where he is an alumnus.