Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo state, says the southwest region is losing N2.5 billion daily to the consumption of beef.

Beef is meat from cattle.

Proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had recently banned the consumption of beef and the keeping of cows in the southeast.

Speaking at a meeting with stakeholders in the state’s education sector in Akure, Ondo capital city, Akeredolu said people in the south-west should consider using chicken meat for their ceremonies.

Represented by Akin Olotu, his special adviser on agriculture, the governor said chicken meat is healthier than beef, and that it will enhance the region’s economy.

“The president said grow what you eat and eat what you grow. I have been a serious advocate and I am reemphasising it, please let us use chicken for our ceremonies,” he said.

“Yes, I mean broilers. They are cheaper. I met with the traditional rulers and I told them that those before you have to encourage that.

“Why am I saying this? There is a N2.5 billion beef market in the southwest every day. It means every day in the southwest, we send N2.5 billion out of the south-west? That is the bedrock of poverty in the region.

“We have a region that is not retaining money. Don’t let any politician tell you any abracadabra, if we don’t reverse that trend, we will continue to remain on the same spot.”

The Cable