Traditional ruler, plant-based nutritionists advocate entrenchment of veganism to promote longevity, global peace

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By Akpan David, Calabar

An international vegetarians group led by a foremost Nigerian traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty Evans Okileanyanchukwu Nwansi, the Eze of Akabo Autonomous Community in the Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, has called on more people, particularly Nigerians to emphasize veganism as their way of life, saying such helps much in strengthening health and elongating lifespans.

Vegetarians are those persons that abstain from eating meat, poultry, and fish, but may consume dairy products such as eggs, and honey. They eat mostly fruits, seeds, vegetables etc. Vegans on the other hand, are stricter vegetarians who completely avoid all animal products, including meat, dairy, eggs, honey. This often extends to their lifestyle, where they avoid leather, wool, silk, and animal-tested cosmetics for ethical reasons.

He advised that more Nigerians and the authorities should encourage and respect vegetarians, revealing that their own pattern of life is economically tolerant and enriches spiritual growth.

The gathering which had the theme: Veganism a scared Path to Wholesome Living and Better world, attracted teeming number of nutritionists from Uganda, Europe, America, including vegans and vegetarians who similarly spoke during their convention in Calabar, Cross River State capital yesterday.

The prominent traditional ruler who is a lawyer and ardent vegetarian, in his keynote address, recalled from the Christian scriptures that God’s original intention in the book of Genesis 1:29 was for man to rely solely on seeds and other plant-based foods to strengthen his health and enable a peaceful, harmonious world.

He frowned at the wanton killings of animals, fish and birds by man for foods, arguing that such was not God’s original advice for man.

According to him, this has caused man’s down fall, continuous sickness and conflict with nature.

He recalled that even after the fall of man, early generations practiced vegetarianism, contributing to their longevity, assuring that through obedience to vegetarianism, humanity can restore peace, coexistence with other creations, and a better world.

A guest speaker, Joy Eyesan Mong, founder of Vegan Journey Advocacy, addressed the topic “Sustainable Choice: How Veganism Heals the Earth”.

Her presentation emphasized veganism as a spiritual, ecological, and moral response to environmental crises.

Drawing from creation theory, and climate science, she highlighted that plant-based feeding lifestyle reduces harms to health, and promotes restoration.

Joy who is an international advocate for veganism, claimed that the lifestyle promotes planetary healing because it is rooted in humanity’s original diet.

“Veganism nurtures both the body, spiritual and ecological balance, offers a practical, daily path to sustainability, conscious living, and a renewed Earth. Choosing plants is a choice for peace, responsibility, and a better world”, she said.

Another guest speaker, Constantine Aporu, founder of Eco Space Uganda, presented a lecture titled, “Compassion in Action: Ethical Living for a Peaceful World.”

He emphasized compassion, ethical living, and humanity’s bond with nature, advocating for cultural diversity, coexistence with animals, veganism, and animal rights as essential steps toward fostering a harmonious, peaceful world.

The event also featured a practical steps on how to Prepare Alternative plant based Proteinous foods, that can help vegans sustain their vitamins and minerals and this was done by Eno Isaac.

Convener of the event, and international organizing committee chairperson, Archbishop Nnanna Mong and Eminence Augusta Obot, respectively corroborated the advocacy.

They emphasized that it was only through plant based diet that will guarantee rancour free world, which will result in global peace.

Chairman of the event, Archbishop (Dr) Iwora Agara of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star welcomed the staging of the conference in Calabar, calling on more Nigerians to embrace the vegetarian lifestyle, debunking the belief that such was costly and difficult to embrace.

“Vegetarianism is a very good concept. More people should embrace it. It is affordable. It helps much you to live ailment-free life and enhances your spiritual growth”, Agara revealed.

The advocates said their umbrella body, Brotherhood Vegetarians Fellowship, which sponsored the event, will sustain the campaign for veganism as a way of life for everyone in order to reduce tension between man and nature.