By ZAINAB OYEKAN

Some Nigerians have said that the old tradition of giving the heads of the families the chicken thighs to eat was a sign of respect and honour, indicating that the practice is no longer in vogue now.

They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos, Plateau State, on Friday that the age-long traditional was no longer respected for many reasons.

Mr Oche Peter, a 49-year-old businessman said that he had been advised by his doctor to cut down on his meat consumption.

“My father enjoyed that privilege of eating the drumstick in our family meals but I don’t want to die so any one can eat that part in my house,” said Peter.

Mrs Julie Udoh, a 67-year-old woman said although the chicken thigh is always reserved for her husband as a sign of respect and love, most times he shares it with her.

Mr Pam Dung, 78-year-old man, said that the family meal time was no longer enjoyable as families hardly eat together.

“Some of us learnt to respect our elders from eating because we ate from one plate.

“We expect the younger person to avoid the meat and fishes until the elderly ones have picked first,” said Dung.

Mrs Jumoke Babatunde, a woman in her late 60s, said that the chicken thighs were for her father and that children only got weird parts, like the legs and wings.

“This is the reason why we had value for things more than the children of this age.

“My grandchildren pick the parts they want to eat and I still wonder why,” said Babatunde.

Mr Umar Adamu, a trader in his 70s, said that his father ate the thigh and that there was no controversy as he is the head of the family.

“There will be trouble (wahala) if you don’t give it to my father, who worked hard to bring the chicken,” said Adamu.

NAN reports that from the time of our forefathers until early 60s, the fathers as head of the families had a particular section of meat reserved for them.

Some of the meats were chicken parts of thighs or any other part he prefers, gizzard, eggs, liver and others.

But with civilisation and nutritionists, doctors and nurses telling what these give to make one healthy, the trend changed. (NAN)