The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) Plateau State Chapter has described the eggs produced in the state as the best and more durable, owing to the state’s friendly and conducive environment and weather.
This was made known by the association’s chairperson, Mrs Shinkur Angela Jima, in Jos the Plateau State capital during the commemoration of the 2025 World Egg Day.
According to her, eggs production and consumption is a vital nutrient for the body and a key aspect of the poultry sector with a great impact on the economy, not only in Plateau State, but in Nigeria and the world over.
The Chairperson noted that this year’s world egg day celebration, with the theme: ‘The Mighty Egg, Packed with Natural Nutrients’ is commemorated in over 80 countries under the umbrella of World Egg Organization (WEO).
She pointed out that International Egg Commission (IEC) was established in 1996 in Vienna Austria with the purpose of creating global awareness on the importance of egg consumption which is said to be a whole food, met for every stage in life, either young or old.
“Egg can be regarded as a complete nutrient house which can be taken as a meal because of the vital mineral and vitamins it contains which are essential for overall development and wellbeing of individual ranging from mental health, functioning muscles and skeleton system, total development during pregnancy.
“Globally, egg is said to be the cheapest source of protein because of its accessibility and affordability which exist in commercial and local form all for the purpose of meeting protein requirements of the body.
“The Nigeria population is estimated at 180 million people with its Agricultural sub-section of economy improvement at a very fast rate with estimated worth of over #1.2 trillion naira with attention from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) through its CBN commercial Agriculture credit Scheme (CBN-CACS) support to local farmers.
“Nigeria poultry Industry is the leading egg producer in Africa producing over one billion eggs, yet the market is not saturated.
“As aware is being created globally, we in Plateau State are also involved to further strengthen the campaign locally as a showcase of our product to the public as the best alternate source of protein in comparison to the conventional red meat.
“Plateau State’s eggs are said to be the best in Nigeria, because of our favourable weather under which our eggs are produced making it to have longer life of up to a month without it being spoilt.
“Consumption of eggs among families is still very low, that is why our eggs are being taken out by middle men offering us peanut because of poor pricing even in the mist of high cost of feeds. Improving on pricing of eggs is our collective responsibility of working together in unity as one voice so that the excesses of middle men can be curtailed,” she said.
The Chairperson appreciated the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang for coming to their aid as PAN during each period of egg glut, and that that in his tenure the state government has voluntarily mop up eggs twice worth millions of Naira to help stabilise the market.
“The government of the day, is a listening government and trying to see a lasting solution to the egg glut problem through various policies and transformation programme that will improve the livestock industry in the state.
“The creation of Ministry of Livestock development, veterinary services and fisheries paying of counter funds for the take-off of L-press in the state gears towards building of live bird market, farmers training school, construction of cold chain facilities etc. some of this projects have been completed and waiting to be commissioned while others are in various stages of development.
“With this, we hope the future is bright and our closed poultry farms will bounce back,” she added.
Highlights of the event was a road show and the free distribution of eggs to people and institutions, speeches by stakeholders, including the commissioner for Livestock, Dr. Sunday Akpa, and the Adviser on Livestock Dr Avong.