Chairman of NBA-SPIDEL, Dr Onyekachi Ubani has threatened to drag the Federal Government to court if they make good their threat to ban the chewable delicacy known as Ponmo in the country as reported in the news.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology, NILEST, Zaria, Muhammad Yakubu said the Government was proposing legislation to ban the consumption of animal skin, locally known as ponmo, in the country to revive tanneries.
In his reaction in a press release issued on Tuesday, Dr Ubani insists that Ponmo is a common delicacy that is mostly enjoyed by the citizens due to its affordability. Fish, meat and other proteins have become very expensive and thus unaffordable to the common man in Nigeria.
He wondered why our leaders derive so much pleasure in inflicting pain and agony on the common man in every aspect of governance. He queried why and how government always go against the things the common man derives pleasure in?
“The truth is that ponmo remains the most constant meat-like substance in stews and soups in many kitchens and it beats our imagination that every government in Nigeria has always planned to take away that substance from their dining tables”.
“While politicians and rich Nigerians chew all manner of proteins in every of their sumptuous meals with their loved ones, they have become restless and jealous of the only thing that the common chews while eating their meals of “affliction”.
“Is such government pronouncement and policy of banning ponmo fair and just? he queried.
Dr Ubani advised the government to desist from the threat and ensure that such ‘wicked and callous policy” does not see the light of the day.
He stressed: “However if they fail and refuse to abide by this free advice, they should be prepared for a prolonged legal suit that may end up in the Supreme Court of Nigeria on the illegal ban.”
“I shall be prepared to undertake this public interest case on behalf of millions of Nigerians who considers this delicacy too palatable to be taken off their meal table, moreso when it remains the only affordable substance that has a semblance of meat and fish while enjoying it. A word is enough for the wise,” he concluded.
