By Bolu Ajijo, Akure.
A Don at the Federal University of Technology (FUTA), Professor Olufunmilayo Sade Omoba has underscored the needs for governments at all levels and Nigerians to popularise the consumption of local foods or diets in order to healthy living through intakes of increase protein and fibre to combat the increasing incidences of communicable and non communicable diseases now rampant in developing economies like ours.
Omoba who is of the Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA made the call while delivery the university 132nd Inaugural Lecture Series entitled:, Healthy Eating and Human Disease: Dietary Shift in a Sustainable Food System recently.
The lecture which took place at the main auditorium of the citadel of learning attracted eminent scholars and scientists in the related Fields within and outside the university provided the first class material in Food Science and Technology a veritable platform to showcase her findings in this specialized field to the world.
Speaking on the dysfunctional effects of the consumption of genetically modified organism GMO on healthy living and food security which she called junks, the lecturer strongly advocates the need for Governments at all levels to promote high consumption of traditional diets rich in protein and fibre to combat the rising incidences of communicable and non communicable diseases.
According to Prof Sade Omooba there is an urgent need for a paradigm shift in our dietary system from the consumption of GMO food to home grown food which are under utilized because of their richer in bioactive compounds and fibre and will combat incidences of hypertension, diabetes and chronic kidney diseases which are prevalent in our society..
According to her these avoidable diseases are attributable to both environmental and social factors; poor sanitation, lack of portable water, debilitating poverty, malnutrition, unhealthy diets, harmful use of Tobacco and alcohol and lack of physical exercise.
To combat these menace, in addition to regular medical check ups for early detection and elimination of risk factors and physical exercise , Prof Omoba recommended high intakes of cereals, legumes, tuber, vegetables and
the needs for government to improve labelling on foods and drinks to assist consumers to make informed choices.
The don who attributed the success of the research that spanned two decades to the collaborative efforts of her colleagues said the out come of the studies will enhance food process, product development and analysis in order to promote healthy living and the much desired food security in our continent.
Earlier the Vice Chancellor of the University Prof Joseph Fuwape who presided over the occasion eulogized the doggedness and resourcefulness of Prof Omooba for her research works. He described her as a distinguished scholar, a leading light, a trail blazer in her field and an asset to the department and esteemed university and the school as a whole.
Apart from the University’s management team and students, the husband of the lecturer, Dr Nathaniel Omoba, a Consultant Public health veterinary officer with Ondo State Civ Service, prominent academia, top government functionary, retired public officers captains of industries
family members, friends and well wishers were also at the epoch making event.
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