By Njide Ezeonyejiaku
The doubts and fears about the conjectures surrounding the consumption of meat has been dispelled as Prof. Cordelia Ifeyinwa Ebenebe in her research and findings affirms that all meat types contain nine essential amino acids needed by the human body.
Delivering the 99th Inaugural Lecture of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka at the University Auditorium, Prof. Ebenebe emphasized that meat is essential for human growth and development, stressing that research evidence confirms that only processed meats could be linked with issues of diseases, while unprocessed meat consumption is not linked to heart disease.
“The meat that appears to be linked with issues of diseases are the processed meats found in big supermarkets and shopping malls”, she explained.
According to Prof. Ebenebe, most plant proteins are incomplete which explains why most vegetarians in Europe and America take supplements that make up for the nutrient deficiency in plant proteins, pointing out that the body needs 950mg of cholesterol for daily metabolism and the liver is the main producer, while only 15 percent is obtained from our diet.
Prof. Ebenebe who is a Professor of Animal Production & Management and the current Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Nnamdi Azikiwe University , Awka outlined the various types of meats including red meat, white meat, and grass-fed or organic meat and appealed to Nigerians to look towards little known animals which she called Micro/minilivestocks that offer economic future as meat or for economic purposes.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Charles Okechukwu Esimone, FAS described Inaugural Lectures as a marriage of Town and Gown, where the research findings of the academia are communicated to the citizens for maximum benefits.
Prof. Esimone described the UNIZIK 99th Inaugural Lecturer, Prof. Cordelia Ebenebe as a strong and versatile woman whose contributions to the University and the society are immeasurable.
The Lecture which was the first in this year attracted principal Officers of the University, many Professors from different Faculties and Departments, including the DVC, Admin. Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu; the Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Gladys Ahaneku, the Director, Academic Planning, Prof. Angela Ufele, and the former HOD, Mass Communication Department, Prof. Cornelius Ukwueze among others.
Decoration of the Inaugural Lecturer, and songs of praise from Okija Community women added colour to the event.
