Following the high rate of cancer in Nigeria, the Akwa Ibom state government has warned its citizens against consuming cow skins.
The commissioner for agriculture and natural resources, Godwin Afangideh, disclosed this at a press conference on Sunday in Uyo, the state capital.
According to Afangideh, cow skin, often referred to as Ikpa Ebola or Ponmo is a common cause of cancer and liver problems in the state.
The commissioner, who was represented at the briefing by the Director of Veterinary Services in the state, Dr. Obot Obot, said that the people who patronized cow skin were exposed to both cancer and liver problems as well as diarrhoea and hypertension, due to the high quantity of salt used for its preservation.
He stated that the government had embarked on a sensitisation programme to create awareness on the danger of consuming cow skin.
He said, “The state government, through the veterinary services directorate of the ministry, has embarked on a sensitisation campaign in some markets in the local government areas to talk to the people about the danger of consuming such meat.
“The veterinary officer, who was in charge of the sensitisation campaign, went to different markets and talked to the people on the imperatives of how to watch out for toxic meat following reports of its importation into the country.
“Cow skin meat, which is five times thicker than ordinary skin meat, is injected with a toxic substance called formalin used for its preservation. This formalin in the long run is capable of causing cancer and liver problems due to high concentration of salt used for their preservation.”
Cancer is a public health problem world-wide affecting all categories of people.
—It is the second most common cause of death in developed countries and among the three leading causes of death in developing countries. Cancer affects men and women about equally, but certain cancers tend to be more common in men.
The cancers that most frequently affect men are prostate, colon, lung, and skin cancers.
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