By Jude Atupulazi
I have not driven my car for over two months now. I had an accident (someone hit my car) and one thing leading to another, I ended up repairing one thing after the other. Initially, I found it very challenging; even frustrating, to commute via public transport from my town to Awka and from Awka to my town each day. In fact, to come to Awka each morning, I’ll have to board five different vehicles and when it turns out to be days it rains you can imagine my predicament. But amid my travails is what has turned out to be a blessing. I am now fitter.
Yes, in the days I was driving, I had kept reminding myself that I needed to carve out time to exercise in order to stay fit but that time never materialized. I would be panting like a lizard that fell off a tree each time I climbed staircases. But not anymore.
These days I can feel much improvement and vital parts of my body have been responding quicker to the commands of my brains now. I am also saving more money than when I was buying fuel for my car and this is all because I was forced to walk because my car isn’t available.
But you know what? Even when it comes out of the mechanic’s, I’ll continue walking, except where I can’t help but use the car. This is because of the outrageous cost of fuel which I will never dream of sustaining. I remember it wasn’t too long ago that I used to buy N800 fuel that took me to Awka and back.
Today, at almost the same salary, I will now buy the commodity for at least N8, 000. This, of course, is only if all I will do is to come to the office and go back straight home. It’s simply unaffordable and it is so to an ever increasing number of people.
Not long ago, I had seen two former commissioners in this state boarding a shuttle bus. The first time I saw one of them, I tried to dodge him because I felt he would not be proud of himself to be seen by me boarding a shuttle bus. This is the level many Nigerians have been reduced to these days.
But is it all too bad? I think there are some little benefits we can glean from the current situation of affairs in the country. If you notice, there is less traffic on the roads, as people now only use their vehicles when absolutely necessary. But this is the way it is done abroad. There, many prefer to walk or use the buses or trains.
Here, we like to show off and if it was possible some of us would be driving three cars at the same time to show they have arrived, while they have little time to exercise their legs and hearts. Any wonder that many are today slumping and dying?
Things have indeed become too difficult for most people that they are now discarding some of the lazy and unhelpful lifestyles of the recent past. The main thing now is to survive. I’m not talking about those doing it in a negative way. I’m talking about honest, hardworking Nigerians who seek a legitimate way of eking out a living.
Last Monday, I boarded a shuttle bus driven by a very good looking young man. In the course of our discussion, I learnt he was a graduate of Unizik and had made a second class upper in Accounting.
He told me he had taken to hustling in order to live and was proud to say he had married and had three children from his hustles. He told me how he also sold some imported items for his friend who liked his honesty and had been sending those items to him from abroad.
I told him I was pleased with his attitude, telling him how some misguided youths would regard certain jobs here as demeaning, only to go abroad and start washing dead bodies. We both agreed that it was always good for anyone to be proud of their legitimate means of livelihood.
So, as you can all see, the current tough situation in the country is making many to begin to think out of the box in a good illustration of necessity being the mother of invention. That is the way to go. It is just unfortunate that our educational system has been a bit flawed by not preparing our youths for tough challenges after school.
Some people are still walking their boots off looking for employment in white collar jobs most of which when secured do not pay well. But look at skilled work men making a pile of money without going to school. Yet, many look down on them.
It is not that going to school has suddenly become taboo. No. Indeed, there are always differences in businesses done by graduates and those by non-graduates. But then, our children are not equipped for surviving without their certificates and this is why there has to be a re-jig of our education curriculum. Many of those Chinese whose products we flood our markets with are not graduates. They are very skilled and make fortunes from their skills. We can be like them.
Many Doctors, Confused Patients
It is today normal to read on the social media all manner of advice on what to eat and what not to eat by those claiming to be nutrition experts. It is such that you no more know which advice to take or believe. Last Monday too, I came upon one of them admonishing us to desist from eating roadside corn if we wanted to Live Longer. Read what this piece said:
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Roasted corn is a popular street food in many parts of Nigeria, enjoyed by people of all ages for its smoky flavor and affordability. However, while the taste of roadside corn is undeniably appealing, there are significant health risks associated with consuming this delicacy, particularly when purchased from street vendors. Understanding the potential side effects can help you make more informed choices about what you eat.
Exposure to Harmful
Contaminants: One of the primary concerns with eating roadside corn is the potential exposure to harmful contaminants. Street vendors often roast corn in open environments where it can be exposed to dust, smoke and exhaust fumes from nearby vehicles.
These pollutants can settle on the corn, leading to the ingestion of toxic substances such as lead, carbon monoxide and other hazardous chemicals. Prolonged exposure to these contaminants can contribute to respiratory issues, headaches, and, in severe cases, long-term health problems.
Risk of Foodborne Illnesses
The hygienic conditions under which roadside corn is prepared and sold can be questionable. Vendors may not have access to clean water for washing the corn or their hands, increasing the risk of contamination with harmful bacteria such as E. coli or Salmonella.
Consuming corn that has been handled improperly can lead to foodborne illnesses, resulting in symptoms like stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. These illnesses can be particularly dangerous for children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Digestive Issues
Roasted corn, especially when consumed in large quantities, can be difficult to digest. The high fiber content, while beneficial in moderate amounts, can cause bloating, gas, and constipation if over-consumed. Additionally, the tough, charred outer layer of the corn can be hard on the digestive system, potentially leading to discomfort and digestive upset.
Potential Carcinogens from charring: another significant risk is the formation of carcinogens during the roasting process. When corn is roasted over an open flame, the high heat can cause charring, leading to the formation of harmful compounds like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heterocyclic amines (HCAs). These substances have been linked to an increased risk of cancer when consumed regularly.
Nutritional Degradation
The intense heat used in roasting corn can also degrade some of its nutritional value. Essential nutrients such as vitamins A and C can be lost during the roasting process, reducing the overall health benefits of the corn. While roasted corn is still a source of fiber and some vitamins, the potential health risks may outweigh the benefits, especially when consumed frequently.
While roadside corn may be a convenient and tasty snack, it’s essential to be aware of the potential side effects. Opting for corn that is prepared under more hygienic conditions, or better yet, roasting your own at home, can help you enjoy this popular treat without compromising your health.
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My Take
I must say the warnings are germane. Just like every other thing we eat, we need to take care of those things pointed out above. But what confuses me is that this particular delicacy of oka na ube (corn and pear) had been one of the mainstays of our forebears who had literally lived on it and lived long. In fact, life then was much longer and it was regarded as an abomination of sorts, if parents buried their children.
Then, there was hardly any home that did not have old men and women. But today, when we have become more health conscious, old people are hardly seen in many homes. Indeed, in my vicinity at home, there is no single old person. It is us that are now acting as elders.
Again, while I agree totally about the need for hygiene, there are many other instances where the talk is merely about what we should eat and what we should not eat, as well as when we should or not eat them. I guess all this latter day talk about this and that food is what it is: mere talk.
The human body is designed in such a way that if you understand it, you give it what it craves for at any particular point, so long as you’re generally healthy. For example, you drink when you feel thirsty. It’s your body that sends that signal to you. I’m not a beer person but there are a few occasions when my body will instruct me to take a bottle and when I do, I enjoy it.
I’m one person that hates stout but there was this day I madly had the urge to drink it. I stopped beside a shop and ordered one. I gulped it down in about two minutes and thoroughly enjoyed it despite its bitter taste. I’ve since not enjoyed it as I did that day.
So, I believe that our body talks to us as per what it craves for at any point and it’s left to us to listen to and understand its message. That said, I also am aware that certain foods are autochthonous to certain races and may harm those not of those races in some way.
That’s why some diseases are more prevalent among certain races than others. I believe that our traditional foods and drinks can never harm us, when taken in the right quantities, though some foreign foods and drinks may not also harm us because of what they contain that are here too without us knowing.
So, for anyone to stand up today and tell me that good old corn is harmful is what I won’t believe, except on the basis of lack of preparation in hygienic surroundings. Indeed, as I wrote this, the urge to eat corn came mightily upon me and I obliged the urge soon after. Don’t ask me how many I ate.
See you next week.
