Emem Julius
Veganism Experts have called on Nigerians to embrace veganism as a way of life and global peace, citing its health, spiritual, and peace-building benefits.
The advocacy took place at an international Veganism convention on Wednesday in Calabar, Cross River State, themed “Veganism: A Sacred Path to Wholesome Living and a Better World.”
The Founder of Vegan Journey Advocacy, Joy Mong while speaking on Sustainable Choice: How Veganism Heals the Earth, described veganism as a spiritual, ecological, and moral response to environmental and climate challenges.
She emphasized that plant-based diets reduce harm to both human health and the planet, strengthens health, promotes longevity, and fosters harmony between humanity and nature.
She noted that veganism is not perfection but willingness to reduce harm, adding that the concept of veganism is a conscious refusal to participate in unnecessary bloodshed and a deliberate step toward restoring harmony between humanity and creation.
Mong said, “Veganism is not perfection. It is willingness, the willingness to reduce harm, to choose peace over appetite, and to live gently in a wounded world. It begins with desire, because desire governs action. When desire is healed, the Earth begins to heal.”
“Veganism becomes an act of planetary repentance , a conscious refusal to participate in unnecessary bloodshed and a deliberate step toward restoring harmony between humanity and creation”, she added.
Mong lamented that climate change is not only an environmental crisis; but evidence of spiritual disconnection, emphasising that Veganism restores the relationship between God and creation by cultivating reverence, restraint, and conscious living.
“Climate change is not only an environmental crisis; it is evidence of spiritual disconnection. Humanity has forgotten its place within creation. Veganism restores that relationship by cultivating reverence, restraint, and conscious living”, she explained.
She urged government authorities and the wider society to encourage and respect vegetarians, describing their lifestyle as economically sustainable and spiritually enriching.
In his keynote address, HRM Evans Nwansi, a lawyer and long-time vegetarian, referenced Genesis 1:29, noting that God’s original instruction was for humanity to subsist on plant-based foods.
He argued that the killing of animals for food deviated from divine intent and has contributed to human suffering, ill health, and conflict with nature.
According to him, early generations practiced vegetarianism even after the fall of man, a practice he said contributed to their long lifespans. He maintained that a return to plant-based living would help restore peace, improve health, and promote coexistence with other creatures.
