A Food Scientist and Managing Director of IDYJAY Culinary School, Idara Emmanuel Okon, has cautioned Nigerians against unhealthy eating habits, linking poor diet to rising cases of cancer and other health complications in the country.
She gave the warning yesterday during the graduation ceremony of the 2026 Batch ‘A’ students of the IdyJay culinary school in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
According to Mrs. Okon, while many people perceive healthy eating as expensive, the cost of treating illnesses resulting from poor nutrition is far higher.
“Eating healthy food is not costly, but treating ailments caused by unhealthy food and drinks is much more expensive,” she said, urging Nigerians to be mindful of what they consume, including water.
The food scientist attributed increasing reports of cancer-related illnesses in hospitals to poor dietary choices, stressing that indiscriminate consumption of unhealthy foods and drinks could lead to serious health consequences.
She explained that the institution was established not only to train individuals in culinary skills but also to promote food safety and healthy living.
“At the school, we train students on food safety, hazards, presentation, and quality standards to ensure they produce meals that are safe and beneficial to society,” she noted.
Mrs. Okon emphasized that practical competence outweighs certification in the culinary profession, stating that skills account for a greater percentage of success in the labour market.
“The certificate is just about 20 percent; what you can do professionally is 80 percent of who you are,” she added.
She charged the graduating students to uphold high standards and avoid compromising quality, warning that poor practices in food production could endanger public health.
In her valedictory speech, the outgoing class representative, Wonderful-love Israel Emmanuel, described their training as impactful, noting that it equipped them with both practical skills and a deeper understanding of the science of food.
She expressed appreciation to the management and instructors of the institution for their guidance and mentorship throughout the programme.
Established in 2022, IDYJAY Kitchen Culinary School operates in partnership with an international food safety institution and focuses on equipping students with industry-relevant skills.
The event featured exhibitions of food products prepared by the graduating students and the presentation of certificates of competence, marking the transition of the trainees into the professional culinary space.
Stakeholders at the event noted that promoting healthy eating practices remains critical to improving public health outcomes and reducing the burden of preventable diseases in Nigeria.
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