Mbah urges journalists to balance technology with editorial courage

Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has urged Nigerian journalists to embrace the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) while upholding the ethical values and creative instincts that define responsible journalism.

Mbah spoke on Friday through the state’s Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Professor Sam C. Ugwu, during the opening ceremony of a two-day capacity-building retreat for members of the State House Press Corps (SHPC), held at the Landmark/Nike Lake Hotel in Enugu.

In a keynote address, Mbah described AI as an indispensable force already shaping the present, not merely the future. He encouraged journalists to leverage the technology to boost newsroom efficiency, investigative capacity, and democratic accountability.

“AI is not a future concept; it is with us now,” the governor said. “From Google Maps to online searches, we engage with AI daily. The challenge is not to resist it, but to leverage it. But while doing so, never allow AI to dull your creativity; that would be a disservice to your profession.”

Welcoming participants to what he called the “historic cradle of media excellence,” Mbah described Enugu as a symbolic and appropriate host city for a journalism retreat, recalling its pre-independence legacy as a bastion of press freedom.

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Professor Ugwu, who represented the governor, reflected on his admiration for the journalism profession, recounting his youthful interest in media.
“I was buying newspapers as a secondary school student. Though I studied political science, I remain an admirer of journalists and their role in fighting corruption,” he said.

He emphasised the media’s continuing obligation to serve as the nation’s conscience, particularly in an era where disinformation threatens public trust.

“Journalists must never lose sight of their sacred responsibility to hold leaders accountable and strengthen institutions. In today’s world, where truth is increasingly under assault, your role has never been more critical,” he stressed.

The retreat, themed “Artificial Intelligence (AI) Utilisation for Effective Journalism,” comes at a time when the news industry is grappling with rapid technological change, job insecurity, and ethical concerns around the use of AI in reporting. 

Despite these challenges, the Enugu State Governor urged journalists to view AI not with fear but as a powerful tool for innovation and growth.

Governor Mbah’s address also highlighted some of his administration’s technology-driven reforms, including the recently launched Command and Control Centre, which offers 24/7 security surveillance across the state.

He also noted the government’s Smart School initiative, designed to promote digital literacy and critical thinking among students in all 360 wards.

“Our goal is to raise innovators, not just passive learners,” the governor said. “We’ve seen a remarkable transformation in children who had previously lacked basic literacy.”
Other strides by the Mbah administration include investments in healthcare, agriculture, revamped transportation infrastructure, and reformed bus terminals, all geared toward improving the quality of life and creating an economically vibrant Enugu.

Earlier, Chairman of the State House Press Corps, Dr. Anule Emmanuel, described the training as an important platform for journalists to adapt to a rapidly evolving media landscape.

He thanked the Enugu State Governor for his “genuine and quietly transformative leadership” and commitment to supporting media development.
“As journalists covering the seat of power, we operate in a highly sensitive environment,” Dr. Emmanuel noted. “This retreat offers us a valuable opportunity to refresh our skills and reposition ourselves for impactful and responsible journalism in the age of AI.”

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The retreat brought together members of the press corps, technology experts, and guest lecturers, including Professor Michael Ukonu, Head of Mass Communication at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, who delivered insights on the intersection of media and emerging technologies.

Dr Chukwuma Mgboji, a Principal System Analyst at UNN, Department of Computer and Robotics Education, spoke on the topic “AI for Journalists: Tools, Tactics, and Revenue Models in a Digitally Automated Newsroom.”

Mr Paul Odenyi, a Deputy Director, Media and Communication, gave a lecture on Experience in the coverage of the seat of power and life outside journalism.