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The immediate past Chairman of the Poultry Association of Nigeria, Ogun State, Mrs Blessing Alawode, has called on the government to fight insecurity and remove multiple taxation to create an enabling environment for the farmers to thrive and keep feeding the nation.
Alwode said that it is unfortunate that the problem of insecurity, much more than the rising cost of feeds, is making many farmers shut down and throw their workers back into the labour market.
She maintained that the government must rise to the challenge and ensure that there is adequate security for the farmers to carry out their farming activities saying that the growing kidnapping cases across the country calls for concern.
Alawode disclosed this on Friday while giving her keynote address during the World Egg Day held at the Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme office, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta.
This year’s celebration has as its theme “United by Eggs”.
She said, “Though the rising cost of feeds is making things difficult for the farmers the problem of insecurity is another big challenge. Insecurity is now becoming highest and many farms are closing down because of increasing cases of kidnapping.
“This is not what we have the power to provide for ourselves. The government must provide security for its citizens. The government must, like never before, rise and tackle this challenge. It is getting so scary and urgent steps should be taken to tackle this problem.”
She also begged the government to harmonise its taxes, explaining that the problem of multiple taxation combined with the prevailing harsh economy is stifling and discouraging to the farmers.
She pleaded with the state government to also help with the provision of subsidised maize while also ensuring that they also benefit from several interventions from the federal government.
Alawode equally called on the poultry farmers to strengthen their collaborations and foster partnerships that are necessary for them to continue to thrive and feed the nation.
She described eggs as the cheapest and most unadulterated source of high-quality protein, urging people to increase their consumption and watch out for its effects on their health.
Speaking earlier, the acting Chairman of the Poultry Association of Nigeria, Ogun state, Ajibola Odukoya, called on Nigerians to eat more eggs as the nutritional value will help boost their health and cut frequent visits to the hospital.
Odukoya has equally said that it was wrong belief to be saying that eggs are not for the elderly saying that “It is a misconception that several researches have since proved wrong”.
Odukoya described egg as a complete meal and a balanced diet because it contains all the nutrients such as protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, fat, and oil, saying that “egg may be small but mighty and it is a powerhouse packed with essential nutrients are very nourishing to the body and keep us healthy.”
He said, “As we celebrate World Egg Day, I call on Nigerians to eat more eggs and reduce their visit to the hospital. This is because what the egg contains is very good for our health.
“I also want to use this medium to correct the wrong impression and belief that egg is only good for the children and not for the elderly. It is a fallacy; eggs are good for the elderly, too, because they contain what helps to give sharp memory and also boost our immune system. So, elderly people eating eggs will stay very strong and healthy
“Additionally, egg truly has cholesterol, but it is not a bad cholesterol, or that has negative effects on our health, so let people consume more eggs and see the effects upon their health. It is a complete meal and that is why when you take one or two, you don’t get hungry on time”.
Speaking at the occasion, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Abayomi Arigbabu, hailed the poultry farmers for helping to fight against hunger and malnutrition with the supply of eggs to members of the public.
Arigbabu represented by the Director of the Science and Technology department, Mrs Abosede Edun encouraged all and sundry to make eggs an important food source as it has been established that regular consumption of eggs improves brain health, boosts immunity, supports eye health, and helps in muscle building and repair while also beneficial for children’s growth and development.
