The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Nsibiet John, has urged students of Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) to harness the power of credible information and intellectual discourse to shape the future and contribute meaningfully to national development.
John made the call while delivering a keynote address titled “Architects of Tomorrow: Shaping the Future Through Information and Intellectual Discourse” at the 2026 Intellectual Feast organised by the Student Union Government (SUG) of AKSU, Obio Akpa Campus, on Thursday, August 6, 2026. He said the future was neither accidental nor inevitable, but was deliberately designed through the quality of ideas generated, knowledge acquired and conversations undertaken by society.
Represented by the Managing Editor of The Ink Newspaper, Comrade Priscilla Christopher-Akpanettot, the NUJ Chairman described information and rigorous intellectual discourse as “twin pillars” of innovation, democracy, scientific advancement, economic prosperity and sustainable development. He cautioned students against confusing the abundance of information available in the digital age with knowledge, stressing that information becomes valuable only when it is verified, interpreted and responsibly applied. He identified reduction of ignorance, expansion of opportunities and improved foresight as key benefits of credible information.
According to him, intellectual discourse transforms information into wisdom by subjecting ideas to evidence, logic, critical examination and constructive debate. He urged the students to cultivate intellectual curiosity, develop critical thinking, participate in respectful dialogue and, most importantly, translate knowledge into practical solutions through research, innovation, entrepreneurship and public service. He noted that “information provides the building blocks, while intellectual discourse provides the blueprint” for societal transformation.
John further challenged the students to become informed citizens, rather than passive consumers of information, warning that misinformation, manipulated narratives and digital propaganda could influence elections, destabilise economies and deepen social divisions. He said universities had a special responsibility to cultivate independent thinkers and future leaders, adding that the true measure of education was not merely what an individual knew, but what society became because of that knowledge.
Earlier, the Director of Information, Comr. Philip Iniobong Happiness, who conceived the Intellectual Feast, described the programme as a platform for students to exchange ideas, celebrate knowledge and stretch their thinking beyond the classroom. She urged participants to become “informed citizens, critical thinkers, innovative problem solvers, and responsible leaders,” saying the event was designed to encourage students to question, network and develop practical solutions to challenges confronting the university, their communities and the nation. The event, organised under the auspices of the Faculty of Social Sciences and the SUG, was attended by lecturers, student leaders, panelists, representatives of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, partners, sponsors and members of the press.
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