By
Elvis Eromosele
Numbers
tell a story. If you can connect one story with another, you can make plausible
inferences. Two reports released last week showed the power of these
connections.
The
Nigerian Bureau of Statistics showed that the unemployment rate for the fourth
quarter of 2020 hit 33.3 per cent. This is an increase from the 27.1 per cent
recorded in Q2, of the same year.
The
Nigerian Protein Deficiency Report 2020 released in the same week indicated
that cost and household income levels remain the major deterrents to adequate
protein intake in Nigeria. According to the report, 45 per cent of Nigerians do
not consume protein daily.
Can
you see the connection?
The
unveiling of The Nigerian Protein Deficiency Report 2020 was the highlight of
the Protein Challenge Webinar Series 8. Protein Challenge is
the tag of The Nigeria Protein Awareness Campaign, a protein pull media
campaign supported by the United States Soybean Export Council (USSEC) and
other partners to create awareness about the prevalence, status and impact of
protein deficiency in Nigeria.
The
report was presented by Mr. Obaro Agalabri, Service Line Lead (West Africa)
IPSOS Channel Performance. IPSOS is a leading market research company that
carries out in-depth analyses of various issues, such as health statistics,
population demographics, and other related fields. Others on the panel included
Dr. Beatrice Oganah Ikujenyo (PhD), chief lecturer, Department of Home
Economics, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Oto-Ijanikin, and Prof
Adetunji Lawrence Kehinde, provost, College of Agriculture, Osun State University,
Osun State, Nigeria.
The
session was moderated by Dr. Adepeju Adeniran, co-founder and national chair of
the Nigerian Chapter of Women in Global Health, a multi-national movement of
women in health care devoted to global health improvement.
Here
are my Top 10 Takeaways from
the seminal session:
- The NBS has stated that less
than half of the country’s work force is unemployed. This rate of
unemployment is alarming with wide-ranging far-reaching effects. It means
a reduction in the purchasing power of households leading to lower general
food purchases. Yet, the lower socio-economic classes believe they eat
sufficient protein. Information!
- A rise in unemployment results
in low income, which causes poor diet. Nigeria has a gap in its protein
consumption. The cost of protein in Nigeria is high and this restricts the
consumption level (of protein). Cost and household income level are the
main hindrances to adequate intake of protein in Nigeria. Income Gap!
- The poverty level in Nigeria is
contributing largely to the protein deficiency problem. The majority of
Nigerians use more than 68 per cent of their income in purchasing protein
foods. This is, for many Nigerians, a heavy burden; one that many would
seek to avoid. So, naturally, protein intake declines to unacceptable
levels. Poverty!
- Protein deficiency in pregnant
women could affect their unborn children. Pregnant women should ensure
that they eat a balanced diet at all times. Nigeria has the second-highest
burden of stunted children in the world. Growth and nutritional value are
the main concepts associated with proteins and soybeans. Children and
women should be prioritized in protein consumption in households. Prioritize
Children in Protein Consumption!
- Poor knowledge of food and
protein leads to nutrient deficiency, poor diet and protein deficiency. We
consume foods but we do not know the nutritional content of the food that
we eat. To effectively tackle protein deficiency, we must eat right.
Knowledge!
- National orientation agency
should promote protein awareness to the general public. The majority of
these organizations also carry out CSR in sensitizing the public on eating
a balanced diet. Word of mouth is currently the major source of awareness on
protein food sources. Create Awareness!
- The margin of people that are
unemployed in Nigeria is on the rise. Agriculture can provide solutions
here. It creates employment, empowers people and produces protein-rich
food. Agriculture contributes to the nutrition status of any economy. The
potential of the agricultural sector to alleviate protein deficiency is
very high. Encourage Agriculture!
- Food consumption patterns in
Nigeria lean too much towards carbohydrates. Every day more and more
people turn to rice, fufu, bread, pasta, yams and noodles. Protein-rich
foods like soybeans, beans, legumes need to be consumed more. The most
commonly consumed soybeans derivates are Soy Milk, Soy Powder, Soy Oil and
Fried Soybeans. The use of a healthy food plate is important in meal
planning. Explore Protein Power!
9.
Though
there have been some public-private sector interventions on soybeans, there is
a need for more collective and collaborative efforts to drive more awareness.
If affordability is a major limitation to the daily consumption of protein-rich
meals, then soybeans should be a staple in households across Nigeria. Soybeans
are a protein-rich food source. It needs to be consumed more across the
country. Soypower!
10.
It
is advisable to consume protein from natural sources rather than take protein
pills for our protein intake. The medical background of the patient is very
important. Proper dieting is essential for the patient. Medicine is the last
resort after the diet fails. Eat Well. Get Protein!
Fun fact: Beans are the most
consumed protein food by 81 per cent of Nigerians.
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