…As expert harps on importance of eggs
- By Demola Atobaba, Ado-Ekiti
Members of Poultry Farmers Association, Ekiti State chapter has called on the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji to re-introduce the homegrown school feeding program and called for the inclusion of eggs for the benefit of pupils of public primary schools in the state.
The association gave the observation during their monthly meeting in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday while speaking with TopNews on the need to re-introduce the school feeding project across length and breath of the State.
Speaking on why government should embark again on the feeding program, Chairman of Poultry Association in Ekiti State, Mr Oluwasetemi Alonge hail Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s laudable efforts towards the development of poultry production in the state.
“Farmers in Ekiti State are very grateful to the governor because government has been very supportive to the farmers association by encouraging us sometimes last year to beef up our production through some assistance we received”.
He described the event as a gathering where poultry farmers especially the egg producers in Ekiti staged to express their displeasure over the low sales of egg production which has played a pivotal roles in their businesses.
According to him, government should see it as a matter of urgency to bring back the school feeding project in order to boost the morals of the pupils in the elementary classes through egg taken daily because the rules is one egg daily for both old and young.
“We appealed to State Government to re-introduce the school feeding program and also patronize our poultry farmers in the state by buying eggs en-mass from our members so as to boost our businesses because of the untold hardship we are facing presently due to low patronage of eggs in the last few months.
“There are thousands of create of eggs that remain unsold in our various farms. Our members are lamenting on daily basis because they have to feed their birds despite the fact we are experiencing low sales, and that is why we need our government to see to this very urgent to come to rescue by re-introducing school feeding project,in our various primary schools in Ekiti.
Others who spoke at the event include Mr Yemi Ogundele, Mr Adebayo Clement and Mrs Olaoke Adebimpe also appealed to governor Biodun Oyebanji and other well-meaning Ekiti indigenes to come to their aide and find a way to discourage importation of eggs from neighboring states.
“What we are clamouring for is simple. We are appealing to the Ekiti state government and those who are closer to president Bola Ahmed Tinubu to please revisit the school feeding project in our dear state and also include eggs into the program because eggs are very nutritional in the body especially the young ones who are still in elementary classes.
“We have been buying animal feed with huge amount of money before we can our feed our birds since the price has skyrocketed, but we have to make sure we continue producing so as to keep the business running”.
They also gave a special recognition to president Bola Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to farmers in Ekiti through the Renewed Hope Initiative, which was described a key component of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration across the federation.
Highlighting the importance of eggs in the body, a dietician from the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Mrs Elizabeth Ajejomoniyi observed that a lot of people underated the importance of eggs and that they count it unnecessary and too expensive which she said is untrue.
“The importance of eggs are uncountable because it helps our brain and the entire body system to function very well when taking egg regularly.
“Everyone,either old or young should be taking egg one per day because egg is very important and is accessible especially in Ekiti. Many people don’t understand the importance of eggs and that is why they see it as not so necessary.
She said the importance of eggs can not be overemphasized to both the pregnant women, children and the aged because it contains protein and it is good for our body.
