My Ponmo, My Opinion

Rumours making the rounds says that Federal Government may have concluded plans to ban sale and widespread consumption of cowhide popularly known as 'ponmo'. According to fillers, the Federal Government wants to promote indigenous leather making factories.

In MY OPINION, the idea is laughable and untimely.

Nigeria is a country that is naturally blessed but government policies seems not to harness the natural gifts.

Hmm...ponmo special.

We have crude oil but our refineries are not functioning to capacity. So we still import Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, commonly referred to as fuel or petrol. For the textile industry in Nigeria, it has been a shade of tales. From a boom to a collapse, they are no longer functioning. Our textile industry may be compared with an empire that was left to totter. Now, we import ANKARA...aiye ma nika o.

The power supply is still poor and remains a major bane to manufacturing industries. We buy sachet water for N10 instead of N5, so how will the 'ponmo'  (leather) factories flourish?

Government has, over the years, put local manufacturers in harm's way through policy flip flops, which allow all manner of goods to be imported.

Easy flow.

The Nissan partnered Nigerian cars are not on the streets yet.

We are yet to overcome insurgency. Boko Haram still have our 'Chibok girls' in their self-proclaimed 'caliphate'.  And they are getting stronger by the day. How do we have peace of mind to produce leather bags or shoes when we can't sleep at night with our two ogbonge eyes closed?

Chop your ponmo with pride.

Please, let those of us who enjoys eating 'ponmo' continue even though Nutritionists do say its highly un-nutritional and tastes like rubber. E seun, we like am like that because one man's ponmo is another man's leather bag. Gucci that!