By Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti
The Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, (EKSU), Prof. Eddy Olanipekun has expressed the need for Nutritionists to come out with dialyses on “Iyan Ana”, second day pounded yam which Ikere Ekiti people are reportedly appreciate mostly.
The Vice Chancellor jokingly made the observation in the University auditorium while passing his comment at the end of the 82nd inaugural lecture of the University which was delivered by a Professor of Food and Nutritional Biochemistry, Prof. (Mrs Bolanle Olubunmi Ajayi.
The Professor of food and nutritional Biochemistry had delivered her inaugural lecture on: “Nutrition and Health: The Inseparable Siamese Twins For Life Sustenance”.
Prof. Olanipekun who although corroborated the inaugural lecturer’s view that good nutrition promotes good health, and long life, however queried how practicable the daily prescription by nutritionists’ in view of the hard economic situation these days.
The Vice Chancellor however noted that no one can enjoy good health without good nutrition, pointing attention to the reported habit of Ikere Ekiti people who love to eat second day pounded yam mostly.
He said, ” Regardless of the economic situation we should not lose hope , let’s take good food and not junks. Our aged are enjoying longevity due to good nutrition (fruits and vegetables).”
Olanipekun therefore urged his colleagues Professors in the university to come out and present their inaugural lectures, pointing out that inaugural lecture is a celebration of academic excellence which every individual in the academics should find pleasure in it to shawcase at least little out of what they have contributed to knowledge.
“This is our 82nd inaugural lecture, we are appealing to our other colleagues not to contemplate or shy away from showcasing what they have been able to contribute to scholarship and knowledge”.
The inaugural lecturer in her lecture had recommended that some of our indigenous local foods and spices that are nutrient dense but almost going into extinction should be cultivated by our farmers and consumed more because of their potential health promoting nature.
“Many indigenous foods have been neglected and almost at the point of extinction.
“In Nigeria, there seems to be a gradual shift from consumption of traditional foods consisting mainly roots, cereals, beans, tubers and vegetables to fatty fast foods, snacks and drinks which is evident by the increased number of eateries in our society and number of people suffering from health challenges like diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.
“A good number of plant-based foods in our environment that are readily available, accessible, cheap and affordable to us are loaded with a lot of nutraceuticals that could be beneficial to our health, they’re going into extinction due to lack of awareness of the nutritional potentials they offer.”
She recommended that functional foods which are rich in essential nutrients (vitamins, proteins, fats, carbohydrates etc) are to be taken for healthy survival of the body. Some of the food samples according to her are: green leafy vegetables, fruits, rhizomes and seeds.
“Consumption of plant-based foods and drift away from modern westernized life style diet (processed foods) would go a long way to further reduce the rate of early progression of some of the non-communicable diseases highlighted that are becoming rampant in our society.”
Professor Ajayi added that food and nutrition status of the developing countries like Nigeria have remained poor due to lack of poor integration of nutrition objectives into overall policies and food production programmes.
“Many common diseases and disabilities afflicting human population in both developing and developed countries result from general malnutrition deficiencies of specific nutrients or over nutrition.
“Inadequate diets or poor dietary habits are associated with increased risk for morbidity band mortality including birth defects, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and certain cancers.
“Specific nutrients, food components or matabolites singularity or in combination can also contribute to risk of disease or alternatively can be protective by preventing such development.”
Photos at the event:
