By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar
A traditional ruler in Imo State, HRM Eze Evans Njoku Nwansi IV, and a London-based clergyman, Bishop Raymond Opia, have advocated vegetarianism and plant-based diets, warning against excessive consumption of meat and other flesh-based foods.
Nwansi, the traditional ruler of Akabo Autonomous Community in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, said vegetarian meals were more beneficial to human health than meat-based diets.
Opia, who spoke separately, also cautioned against alcohol consumption, smoking, snuffing, hard drugs and sedentary lifestyles, linking them to various health challenges.
“I read a post few days ago where someone said that there are no health benefits in drinking alcohol. That is true,” Opia said.
“There are also no health benefits in smoking, snuffing, taking hard drugs, eating meat and living without exercise.
“Meat has only 23 per cent protein; that means soya beans has more protein than meat. Eat healthy and pray always to carve a healthy path for your old age.”
Nwansi, who is also a legal practitioner and international chairman of the Vegetarians Fellowship, said eating vegetarian meals could make people “healthier, younger and stronger.” He added that his organisation planned to establish vegetarian restaurants in Calabar where only plant-based meals and juices would be served.
According to him, the proposed restaurants would also serve as centres where people could learn how to prepare vegetarian and other plant-based meals.
Meanwhile, international vegan campaigner Joy Mong has launched the fourth cohort of a 14-day Effective Vegan Transition Challenge, aimed at helping participants move from meat-based diets to plant-based lifestyles.
Mong said the programme provided participants with practical guidance, support and tools to make the transition sustainable, adding that her campaign had helped more than 600 people in Nigeria and abroad adopt vegan lifestyles.
She said the initiative was targeted at people seeking to move away from meat-based diets and embrace plant-based living.
“Participants received step-by-step guidance throughout the journey, with real-life tools, support and structure to make the transition smooth, effective and lasting,” she said.
Mong said she planned to organise 10 cohorts of the training within the year as part of efforts to encourage more people to adopt plant-based diets.
Vegetarianism: Imo Monarch, Clergyman Advocate Plant-Based Diet
