One of the vital issues amongst the plethora of problems plaguing the country Nigeria since she gained her independence is the nation’s abject state of poverty and malnutrition.
The average Nigerian is unable to feed on less than $2 a day. The old maxim that says, “You are what you Eat” holds very true in a nation where the staple foods all come from nutrient depleted soils; hence the deficient population. Since income is low and the economy is in a deplorable state, majority of the masses resort to diets devoid of important nutrients necessary for healthy living.
There is only a limited amount of food you can eat in a single day. However, the food is not available anymore because the environment is harsh, greed and corruption from the leadership of the nation have impoverished the common man to the point that even a loaf of bread that used to cost N10 is now N60, fuel is on the rise, the abject state of poverty has dehumanized so many, that hygiene is the least thing on their minds.
Garri, or cassava flakes, as some folks call it, has become a luxury meal.
The few enlightened individuals that try to eat nutritious foods, eat poorly grown food crops. The only option is to maximize the amount of nutrients you take in. The best way to do that is to simply eat the foods that carry the greatest amount and variety of nutrients.
Sadly, the average Nigerian is more concerned about the “cost” and the “affordability” of a meal, rather than its nutritional value. An individual would prefer to eat white bread and cola drinks or pastries soaked and fried with oil just because the food is cheap and readily available (yes buns and puff puff i am looking at you).
Constantly eating junk, and not having a sense of hygiene, has a negative multiplier effect.
Look at this scenario: a hawker sells buns, or chin chin to a customer. The customer also buys pure water and enters a bus. The customer eats this oily, heart unfriendly snack, while drinking the sachet of water.
He or she, now proceeds to dispose the wrappers of the snack and pure water on the road; without a care in the world where those things are going to end up.
The effect is three fold: first, a possible heart disease may afflict the individual in the next 5 years; second, the environment can not easily degrade the nylons and plastics of non biodegradable waste: causing environmental pollution, flooding, etc and third, the environmental pollution causes adverse health effects to the snack seller and the customer.
This is just a small cycle in the daily occurrences in Nigeria, a tired country with an ever increasing poverty index.
So what is the way forward?
Creating Public Awareness: People should be informed about proper waste disposal, healthy hygiene habits, and healthy dietary habits. Nutrition information and education must be taught at all levels. Policies must be implemented effectively, on a regular basis.
Embrace agriculture: The entire populace should embrace agriculture. Imagine if 100 million farmers in all 36 states worked in farms from Monday to Friday, with a salary of 50,000 naira weekly. (yes, it is possible). Just imagine how the poverty index would gradually disappear, how our economy would improve......
Governors should develop their states: I know this sounds like a political post, but it is not. If the governors focused on their states, Nigeria would be a better place. Imagine if the governor of Delta state, or Lagos state decides to provide 18 hours of electricity to every home in Delta and industry in Lagos everyday for the next 365 days. 50% of the problems will already be solved in the aforementioned states, as many industrial processes and billions of daily activities require power. Just imagine....
Eating Right: Having a healthier, more balanced diet is the surest way to a healthier life. Eating "fortified" foods that contain extra nutrients is key to a healthy lifestyle. People need to understand that it is more valuable to eat nutritious meals — even on a low income than to eat junk or fast foods.
Exercising Regularly: Yup, this is a necessity. Engaging in exercises soothes the mind and reinvigorates the body. Exercises are great for improving general health and enhancing the biological system.
Finally, we need to embrace healthy habits, because whatever becomes a positive habit, is passed down from generation to generation.
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