Ponmo is cow skin which has been processed for consumers to cook
and eat like beef. Over the years cow skin popularly called ponmo has become an
important delicacy that is eaten by everyone. When you order a plate of eba and egusi soup, you buy ponmo and
meat. So, you begin to wonder how and when ponmo found its way to the plate of
Nigerians. Anyways, for you love cow skin or ponmo so much, Here are solid truths about ponmo.
The over-consumption of
ponmo is affecting the leather industry
The leather industry is suffering from the consumption of ponmo
by Nigerians. Instead of these hides being used to make shoes, bags and
wallets, we prefer to eat them. Consequently, Nigeria is losing out of the 75
billion dollars global leather industry according to Mr. Olufemi
Aluko of the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University. Perhaps,
this why Nigeria imports all her leathers.
Its nutritional benefits is
in doubt
There has been a lot of back and forth about the nutritional
benefits of eating ponmo. Health experts have said that it is harmful and
unhealthy but Nigerians disagree. So, the essence of eating ponmo is defeated
if it is confirmed that it has no health benefits.
It is unhygienic
Mind you, we are not trying to demonise ponmo. But the truth is
ponmo is unhygienic because of the unclean environment the cow hides are
extracted and prepared. Hence, before you consume ponmo, you have to boil it
for hours. In some cases, boiling may not kill the bacteria.
It is cheap
It is very cheap and this is a reason why ponmo is very
prevalent. Of course, the sizes that it is cut is much bigger than meat and
beef.
It is a source of
livelihood
For some Nigerians, ponmo has become a source of livelihood.
They have taken the advantage of the ponmo craving among Nigerians
to survive. You can’t blame them!
Peppered ponmo is very tasty
Wow! Have you ever tasted those fluffy, peppered ponmo? It is
heavenly and tasty!
It will be difficult to ban
ponmo
When
the Nigerian government announced that it was going to ban ponmo, the outcry
among Nigerians was deafening. The #BringBackOurPonmo began trending. Rather
than banning it, more cow hides should be allocated to the leather industry.
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