HON CHIMAOBI ATU RAISES ALARM OVER UNSAFE FOOD, URGES YOUTHS INTO AGRICULTURE, TASKS MEDIA TO DRIVE NEW AGRICULTURAL NARRATIVES

ENUGU — Member representing Enugu North/Enugu South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Chimaobi Sam Atu, has called on Nigerian youths to embrace agriculture as a viable business opportunity, stressing that the sector offers far more than traditional farming.

Atu made the call on Thursday in Enugu while speaking at a Training and Empowerment Programme on Digital Skills for Safe Agricultural Activities in the South-East, organised to equip journalists, media practitioners and other stakeholders with knowledge on agricultural communication, food safety and responsible reporting.

The lawmaker, who sponsored the programme, said the initiative was conceived to address concerns surrounding unsafe agricultural production and food-preservation practices while using the media to promote agriculture and encourage greater youth participation in the sector.

According to him, the programme focused on two key objectives: promoting agriculture through effective communication and creating awareness about dangerous practices associated with food production, handling and preservation.

Atu maintained that agriculture should no longer be viewed simply as farming, noting that the sector encompasses a broad value chain including production, processing, preservation, distribution, marketing and technology.

“Agriculture can be promoted through communication, telling people what they are supposed to do and keeping them aware,” he said.

He urged journalists, content creators and other media professionals to use their platforms to change the narrative around agriculture by highlighting the opportunities available to young Nigerians.

The lawmaker particularly encouraged youths to see agriculture as a serious and profitable business rather than an occupation meant for older people, rural dwellers or those without formal education.

Atu Raises Alarm Over Unsafe Food Practices

The federal lawmaker also expressed concern over the use of harmful substances in the production and preservation of food, warning that the pursuit of quick profits could put consumers at risk.

He said the training was partly aimed at creating public awareness about inappropriate use of chemicals and other substances in preserving agricultural products.

Atu stressed that food safety must receive as much attention as food production, noting that agricultural commodities pass through several stages before reaching consumers.

He called for greater consciousness among Nigerians about how their food is produced, processed, preserved and distributed.

“We need to raise serious awareness about the need for our people, particularly young people, to take agriculture and agricultural activities seriously,” he said.

He also encouraged Nigerians to collectively increase local production and improve food safety, arguing that a stronger agricultural value chain would contribute to economic development while reducing reliance on questionable production and preservation practices.

Media Can Transform Nigeria's Agricultural Narrative

Atu placed significant emphasis on the role of the media in changing public perception of agriculture.

He said agriculture provides opportunities in areas such as processing, marketing, logistics, technology and entrepreneurship, in addition to primary production.

Speaking at the programme, Dr. Chidi Ezinwa, a lecturer at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), observed that agriculture remains underreported in the Nigerian media.

He urged journalists to give greater attention to agricultural stories across mainstream and digital platforms while showcasing successful farmers, agricultural entrepreneurs and emerging opportunities in the sector.

Ezinwa also challenged journalists to incorporate agricultural issues into political reporting by questioning political leaders about their policies, programmes and plans for developing the sector.

Journalists Urged to Champion Food Safety

The Head of the Department of Mass Communication, ESUT, Dr. Maxwell Ngene, called on journalists to embrace watchdog journalism when reporting agriculture and food safety.

Ngene said journalists have a social responsibility to protect the public by investigating practices that could contribute to food poisoning, disease and other public-health concerns.

He encouraged reporters to follow agricultural products through the entire chain, from the farm to the consumer's table, while scrutinising the roles of producers, processors, distributors and regulators.

Also speaking, Dr. Samson Alugwu of the Department of Food and Nutrition, ESUT, explained the scientific factors responsible for food spoilage, highlighting enzymes, moisture, temperature and microorganisms as key contributors to deterioration.

He warned against improper preservation methods and stressed the importance of adopting appropriate techniques to maintain food quality and safety.

NUJ Commends Atu's Initiative

The Enugu State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Obinna Ogbuka, commended Atu for sponsoring the training, describing the calibre of resource persons assembled for the programme as evidence of the seriousness attached to the initiative.

Ogbuka said journalists had a responsibility not only to acquire knowledge but also to communicate it effectively to the wider society.

“We have also a responsibility to pass this message across,” he said.

He pledged that journalists would use the knowledge gained from the programme to promote public safety, agricultural development and responsible food practices.

Atu Seeks New Narrative on Agriculture

Atu said the ultimate objective of the initiative was to ensure that participants acquire practical knowledge they could deploy in educating their communities and promoting safer agricultural practices.

He also acknowledged government investments in agriculture, education and health, describing sustained attention to the sectors as critical to Nigeria's development.

The lawmaker urged participants to regard themselves as partners in building a safer, more productive and economically viable agricultural sector.

He stressed that changing Nigeria's agricultural narrative should not be left to government alone, but requires the collective efforts of farmers, youths, professionals, citizens and the media.

Atu expressed optimism that the training would lead to increased agricultural reporting, improved public awareness of food safety and a renewed interest among young Nigerians in agriculture as a profitable and sustainable business opportunity.

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