Don advocates use of moringa leaf

By Bukola Olamona
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An animal scientist, Professor Francis Gbore has recommended the use of Moringa leaf to animal farmers to serve as anti oxidant and protein in their feeds.

He gave the recipe yesterday at the 12th inaugural lecture of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko where he spoke on “More Than a Conqueror: The Battle Against the Siege of Mycotoxins”.

Gbore, a Professor of Animal Physiology and Reproduction and also Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics at the university said if moringa is added to animal feeds and even consume by human beings, the effect on of toxins present in those feeds and foods will be reduced from harming the consumers.

Gbore said the presence of mycotoxins in feeds may decrease it’s intake and affect animal performance which will produce a wide range of injurious effects in Animals, adding that it passes food borne hazards to humans.

He said that the presence of the toxic on edible animal products like milk, meat, offals, may have some detrimental effects on human health.

He said mycotoxins contamination is unavoidable and unpredictable, which makes it a unique challenge to food safety.

According to him, available data on Livestock production in Nigeria clearly indicates that Nigeria is far from the biological potential for efficient production and supply of protein of animal origin.

“Since animal production is mostly dependent on animal reproduction which ensures the multiplication of animals and hence, the perpetuation of the species, the nutritional hazards that livestock are expose to through an underestimation of the adverse mycotoxins influence on performance and reproductive efficiency of livestock”.

In his opening remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof Igbekele Ajibefun who said the title of the lecture was apt said it would be of immense benefit to farmers who take Agriculture as a business or who derive their livelihood from it.

Ajibefun said the lecture will expose them to the damage and health risks that mycotoxins poses to people’s health, the overall growth and development of the animals and also proffer solutions to them.

Speaking about the lecturer, he said Professor Francis Ayodeji Gbore has had a meteoric growth in the academic profession through dint of hard work, doggedness, zeal and enthusiasm, and dedication to his duties.

Many dignitaries from all walks of life graced the occasion among whom were, the Olubaka of Oka kingdom, Oba Yusuf Adebori Adeleye, Bashorun Sehinde Arogbofa, spiritual fathers, Royal fathers and others.