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FG Proposes Ban On ‘Ponmo,’ Consumers Kick

Published

4 years ago

September 24, 2022

Some Nigerians have kicked against the proposed plan by the Federal Government to ban the consumption of cooked cow skin, popularly known as ponmo.

Recall that the Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology, Zaria, Prof. Muhammad Yakubu, recently said the institute and other stakeholders would be approaching the National Assembly and state governments to establish a legislation to ban the consumption of the cow skin.

According to him, the decision is aimed at reviving the moribund tanneries and leather industry in the country.

He said it had no nutritional value and should be proscribed to save the industry and boost the nation’s economy.

However, some consumers, traders and experts who spoke to our correspondent in separate interviews, said banning ponmo would further increase economic hardship on the poor masses.

A consumer, Rukayat Ishola said she was substituting beef and fish with ponmo as a result of the high cost of the protein.

She said, “Personally, I like ponmo. It’s something many of us eat now since meat and fish are costly. It’s also good for elderly people. If you have N200, you will buy ponmo which can serve five people whereas the least you can get is beef that will be N1,000 and it’s just five pieces or less.

“If the government decides to ban it, they want to inflict hunger on the people because the person that does not have money for meat will buy ponmo. I buy in large quantities, fry and keep it for cooking later, and sometimes, my children take it to school.”

Another consumer based in Ibadan, Titilayo Oyinlola, also said, “I will advise them not to ban it because a lot of us can’t do without eating it, not only because we enjoy it but because it saves money.

“For example, I came to this market to buy things, my initial plan was to buy N2,000 fish, but when I saw the size of fish they offered me, I had to change my mind. So, I decided to buy two Titus fish at N700 each then and one ponmo at N300, making a total of N1,700. My brother, things are tough and one needs to work with budget.”

A caterer and Chief Executive Officer of Bimras Catering Services, Rasaq Balikis, said when planning for events, it was advisable to mix ponmo with meat or fish in order to save cost.

“Most occasions, if you don’t garnish vegetables with ponmo and dried fish, people don’t like it. People want to feel a different taste when eating vegetables and this is what ponmo and dried fish does.

“It also helps with cost reduction when planning for events because instead of serving two meats, you can serve one ponmo, one meat or fish.

“Assuming you are having a party and you bought a meat of N100,000, if you realise that it’s not enough, you can buy one bag of ponmo which is around 60 pieces to substitute it and it will be okay. So, banning it will affect Nigerians a lot,” she added.

Another caterer, Fatimah Sulaiman, stressed that eating cow skin was mostly required by the elderly people, adding that medical doctors would always recommend it for the elderly people who were at risk of eating beef.

She maintained that such banning would leave such people with no alternative.

On his part, Kabiru Agbon, a cow skin trader, said banning the consumption of ponmo would mean taking away his livelihood.

“Ponmo, as far as I know, is for eating; there is the white one they call bokoto. Why will the government want to ban this now? Don’t you know banning it is an attempt to cause problems and taking away the source of income of many of us? It’s just not possible.”

In the same vein, the Chairman, Butcher and Meat Sellers Association, Bola Ige International Market, Ibadan, Ishola Olalekan, stated that any attempt to ban the consumption of cow skin would not only affect the consumers, but also take away jobs from some Nigerians.

“In olden days, cow skin was mainly used by our fathers for praying mats and some other leather forms. No one ate it before but when civilization set in, people began to process it for consumption. Now that lots of Nigerians are eating it and it has become a daily job for many, banning it will have an effect on a lot of people.

“There are people that depend on the processing and another set in charge of the sales before you now talk about those consuming it. What will they be doing after the ban,” Olalekan queried.

An expert and dietician at Diadem Nutrition and Dietic Consult, Queen Orji, said banning ponmo to revitalise the leather industry is not justifiable, stressing that though it did not contain protein, it served many Nigerians as food.

According to her, the ban of the food item, which is used by people from the eastern and western part of the country, is an attempt to deny the majority of poor people the opportunity of having the cheap cow skin.

“Ponmo is cheap and affordable, and for many, eating it with food is more like they have taken beef. Though it doesn’t add any protein or fat to the consumers, people enjoy it. I’m sure if they ban it, many people will not be happy,” Orji said.
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News

NiMet Warns Of Flash Flooding In 19 States

Published

13 hours ago

May 8, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned that 19 states across the country may experience flash flooding.

In an advisory issued yesterday, NiMet said increased surface runoff and flash flooding could occur during heavy early rains due to dry and hardened soils that prevent water from properly soaking into the ground.

The agency listed the states likely to be affected as Zamfara, Nasarawa, Kwara, Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti, Delta, Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Edo, Ondo, and Bayelsa.

NiMet said the possible impacts include flooded roads, traffic disruption, damage to homes, farmlands, and infrastructure, blocked drainage systems, power outages, telecommunication disruptions, and increased risks of injuries and water-borne diseases.

The agency advised residents to clear blocked drainage and stay updated with weather and flood alerts.

NiMet also cautioned motorists and pedestrians against driving or walking through flooded areas.

The agency asked relevant authorities and stakeholders to strengthen coordination, preparedness, and emergency response measures to reduce flood-related risks.

“An informed community is a prepared community. Know the risks and act early,” the advisory read.

The Federal Government had warned that 14,118 communities in 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are at risk of severe flooding in 2026.

The states include Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, and Kano.

Others are Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara, and the FCT.

Meanwhile, Nimet and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have intensified efforts to improve disaster management in the country with plans to develop a national early warning system roadmap.

The move was announced yesterday during a courtesy visit by the Director General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, to the Director General of NiMet, Charles Anosike, at the NiMet headquarters in Abuja.

Mrs Umar applauded NiMet for the timely release of the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction and its consistent weather forecasts, noting that the agency had recorded significant improvements under Prof. Anosike’s leadership.

News

‘Nothing New’ – Wike Defends Houses For Judges, Dismisses NBA Criticism

Published

14 hours ago

May 8, 2026

Editor

Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Friday defended the construction of houses for judges and justices in Abuja, dismissing concerns that the projects could compromise the independence of the judiciary.

Wike spoke after inspecting ongoing judicial infrastructure projects, including judges’ residences, the Court of Appeal Abuja Division and proposed residential projects for judges of the Industrial Court and the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

The minister’s remarks followed criticisms reportedly raised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) over executive involvement in the provision of infrastructure for the judiciary.

Rejecting the concerns, Wike argued that government provision of facilities for judicial officers was neither new nor a threat to judicial autonomy.

He said: “The mere fact that the executive constructs buildings does not mean it will interfere with the judiciary.

“We have built public houses for the National Assembly and for the judiciary before. The Supreme Court was built by government. So there is nothing new in this.”

Wike accused the NBA leadership of inconsistency, alleging that the association frequently sought financial support from state governments for its conferences and activities while criticising government interventions in the judiciary.

“All they are interested in is when state governments will sponsor NBA activities. If governments fund their conferences, does that mean they are no longer independent?” he queried.

He maintained that the FCT Administration would not be distracted from implementing projects designed to improve the welfare and working conditions of judges and justices.

“This is a voluntary act by government to make judicial officers comfortable and focused on their work. It is not done to erode judicial independence,” the minister added.

Wike said the projects formed part of activities lined up to mark President Bola Tinubu’s third anniversary in office.

He expressed satisfaction with the completion level of the judges’ quarters, describing the project as well executed and nearly ready for inauguration.

“We’ve seen the judges’ quarters beautiful. I’m very elated that the job was done well. The houses are well furnished and almost 99 per cent ready,” he stated.

The minister also disclosed that preparations had begun for the groundbreaking ceremony of residences for judges of the Industrial Court and the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

However, he expressed dissatisfaction with aspects of the finishing at the Court of Appeal Abuja Division project, despite its advanced stage of completion.

“Almost 90 per cent complete, but I must say it’s not the quality I expected. I have told the contractor that several errors must be corrected before inauguration,” he said.

Wike assured that the administration would continue monitoring contractors to ensure all projects are delivered according to specification and within schedule.

“All the promises that have been made, we are going to fulfil them. That is why we are going around to inspect and ensure contractors are ready,” he added.

News

LASG Fixes Dates For Public Service Exams, Releases CBT Guidelines

Published

1 day ago

May 7, 2026

Editor

The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and the Lagos State Examinations Board, has released the timetable and guidelines for the 2026 Public Service Examinations.

In a statement by the Lagos State Government, the announcement, which aligns with a prior circular from the Head of Service with Ref No: CIR/HOS/’26/005 dated January 21, 2026, sets out key instructions for candidates preparing for the exercise.

The examinations will hold between Tuesday, May 12 and Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at the Lagos State Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC), Magodo, Lagos.

They include the Compulsory Examination for all cadres in the State Public Service, the Combined Confirmation/Promotion Examination for Clerical Officers II (CO II) and Clerical Assistants (CA), as well as the External Secretarial Examination.

According to the board, candidates are expected to begin printing their examination slips from Tuesday, May 5, 2026, through the official portal using their registration login details.

The slip will contain key information such as each candidate’s exam date and time.

“All candidates are required to present valid identification at the examination centre. Acceptable forms of identification include Staff Identity Cards, National Identification Number (NIN) slips, and Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) cards,” the statement said.

Candidates are also required to bring printed copies of their examination slips to the venue and must strictly follow the date and time allocated to them.

The board further advised candidates to acquaint themselves with basic computer skills ahead of the exercise, as the examinations will be conducted using a Computer-Based Test, CBT, format.

It also warned that dressing must be formal, adding that inappropriate dressing will not be allowed at the examination centre.

Candidates were urged to comply fully with all instructions to ensure a smooth and orderly process.

“The Lagos State Examinations Board urges all candidates to comply fully with these guidelines to ensure a smooth and orderly examination process,” the statement added.