Gilbert Ekugbe
A Professor of Human Nutrition and Hospitality at Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Professor Paulina Adeniji, has expressed concerns over the dearth of diary farms in the country.
Delivering a lecture with the theme, “Give Us Adequate Food in Due Season: Establishing a Path to Healthy Living,” at the 12th inaugural lecture of the university in Ede, Adeniji said that it is worrisome that Nigeria does not have enough and well-establiahed dairy farms to meet its dairy needs despite having the capacity to be one of the exporters of dairy products on the continent.
She said: “The World Health Organisation (WHO), and Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) recommended that the total daily protein should be 67 grammes for average Nigerians.
“Of this, 58 per cent, that is 39 grammes should be of animal origin, but survey showed that only 20 grammes (30 per cent) was fulfilled. It is a setback that we do not have enough well-established dairy farms in Nigeria to supply our needs. The few dairy farms have seriously suffered neglect in the recent past. In most cases, only the local people rear cattle mainly for meat and little dairy products.”
She, however, warned against nutritional deficiencies among Nigerians, which she said could lead to a range of health problems.
The university don said that nutritional deficiencies occur when the body does not receive an adequate amount of essential nutrients needed for the proper functioning of the body.
Adeniji said that apart from proper nutrition for healthy living, regular physical activity is also very important.
“Regular physical exercise activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health apart from eating a properly prepared balanced diet.
“Physical exercises can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthens bones and muscles,” she said.
Adeniji also urged the National Universities Commission (NUC) to increase nutrition education and awareness in schools as a way of promoting a healthy lifestyle.
She also said that Nigerians should be encouraged to secure a space in their various house for home gardens to afford them fruits and vegetables.
Earlier in his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the Redeemers University, Prof. Shadrack Akindele, said that the lecture was significant because it was the first to be delivered since his assumption of office.
