Beware of enemies of ponmo 

SIR: Animal skin has its variety of functions for human use, from its use for upholstery, making of shoes etc. Of note is the cooking and consumption of it, known in local parlance as ponmo.

A popular supplement in soups prepared in many Nigerian homes especially in the Southwestern part of the country, with families of different class and societal level using it as an alternative or together with beef, meat and chicken. It is very popular among the hoi polloi most especially whose purchasing power and disposable income have been greatly reduced due to the bad economy. Despite the fact that some scientists have averred that it has no nutritional value, it is a staple among the rich and the poor but especially the latter who look forward to eating it with relish. 

Recently, the Director General, Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST), Muhammad Yakubu, advocated for legislation that would seek to make the consumption of ponmo illegal. Yakubu premised his agitation on the need to revive what he termed the comatose leather industry in Nigeria; to help revive tanneries, save the industry and boost the nation’s economy. He said “to the best of my knowledge, Nigerians are the only people in the world that overvalue skin as food, after all, ponmo has no nutritional value.”

Established under the Agricultural Research Institute Act of 1975, NILEST, a government agency saddled with the promotion of leather production, conducts research on leather products and the use of local tanning materials in Nigeria. It is thus understandable that its administrative head will seek to drive away competition for the raw materials, which unfortunately, ponmo competes with.

While not discountenancing the argument of Yakubu, the proposed legislation of ponmo will be tantamount to provoking the ire of millions of Nigerians who have found solace and happiness in their revered ponmo.

Apart from becoming a substitute for edible meat and beef, ponmo itself when garnished is a delicacy that is loved by the rich and poor, as its taste when garnished with the right supplements effectively creates moments of nostalgia for the tongue.

It is understandable that the ban is still under proposal for legislation, the Nigerian legislators should be wary of such a bill as it seeks to deny millions of Nigeria the right to happiness through the consumption of their favorite ponmo.

Since ponmo is not known to adversely affect the health of its consumers, it is thus not a subject of national concern to ban it for the promotion of more leather, what is suggested is more productions of animals that produce the skin instead. This ill-conceived proposed ban should be resisted by all Nigerians.

• Arakunrin Ayoola Faseyi is an Abuja based journalist and a public affairs commentator ([email protected]).