By Maria Famakinwa

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Cow skin, popularly known as ponmo, or Kanda is many Nigerians’ favourite. It has become a delicacy in most homes and regular sight at parties. Its availability and affordability makes ponmo the choice of many. In fact, no assorted meal is complete without ponmo.
Years back, the Nigerian government made a move to ban the consumption of cow skin but met with resistance by members of the general public.
Recently, came a similar call from the Vice Chancellor of the Precious Cornerstone University (PCU), Ibadan, Prof Kola Oloke, who advised Nigerians against the consumption of animal protein because it is the major cause of cancer which has led to the death of many.
The don, a Microbiologist who, however, assured that the disease was not only preventable, but curable, spoke at a seminar titled: “Life Style, Diseases and Management” where he warned Nigerians specifically against the consumption of animal skin called ‘ponmo’,
Oloke said, “Consumption of animal protein can lead to diseases in the body. More importantly, it causes cancer. Stay away from meat, especially the red meat. If you want to eat chicken, eat the local one. Animal skin known as ponmo is harmful to the body; it has no nutritional value,” he said.
However, findings revealed that in spite of warnings regarding the adverse results that the consumption of animal skin poses to human health, many can not do without ponmo in their pots. The Hope spoke with some people if they can avoid eating ponmo.
In the submission of a civil servant, Mr Debo Molebi, he revealed that he cannot do without eating ponmo and nothing can be said to discourage him from consuming it.
When told that it is hazardous to the health and have no nutritional value, he disagreed and said, “The nutritional value is in the crunching. It gives me psychological relief from many worries. Any attempt to ban ponmo consumption will lead to mass protest across the country because ponmo is the only source of solace for the masses. “ Sharing a similar sentiment, a trader, Mr Folusola Ayoola, also maintained that 90 per cent of Nigerians prefer ponmo to beef and argued that if truly its consumption was dangerous to health as some health workers claimed, his mother who is in her early 90s ought to have died long ago because ponmo was her only meat. His words: “I will never believe that ponmo consumption is dangerous to health. My mother is in her early 90s and she has been eating ponmo since her childhood.
“If the claim that the process of burning ponmo with tyres poses risk of cancer is true, why was cancer not rampant during the days of our forefathers who ate ponmo more than our generation? Cow and goat meats also pass through the same process of burning. What exactly should we eat then? They condemned eating of frozen fish, turkey and chicken that they were preserved with formalin. They also said that smoked fish was bad and condemned fresh fish because of what they feed on. What then is left to eat? I have heard that ponmo is being recommended by doctors for those with high blood pressure and those who want to lose weight. The same doctors will also come up with another story. I don’t see anything wrong with the consumption of ponmo. The challenge of insecurity facing Nigerians is what we should be discussing and not the issue of ponmo,” he said.
A woman operating a beer parlour, who simply gave her name as Rose, said that her customers preferred drinking beer with ponmo, garnished with Pepper to beef. “So I have no choice than to buy ponmo in bulk daily. Despite the claim by some health workers against consumption of ponmo, the level of patronage and scramble for the commodity in markets across the country continue to rise. The delicious succulent texture of ponmo when cooked and seasoned makes it irresistible by many Nigerians. No meal is complete today without ponmo.”
A ponmo seller, who gave her name as Iya Fausat, said that she thrives on sales of ponmo and that she has customers in corporate organisations, she delivered ponmo to including health practitioners. She said,”I have customers in banks and other corporate organisations including doctors. They call me on phone anytime they need ponmo and I deliver to them.
“Some of us earn our sources of living through selling of cow skin and we are appealing to the concerned authorities not to take any step against the business. Ponmo is nutritious contrary to the belief of some. This is because of feelings of satisfaction that one gets from it. I have never heard that someone died as a result of consuming ponmo. That is what I sell and my family has been eating it for a long time without complaining. Ponmo is not poisonous but revitalises the body,” she said.
A nutritionist, Mrs Yeni Ogundele, in a contrary view hinted that ponmo is dangerous for consumption but the love for it has blindfolded many she said, a visit to where they are processing ponmo will reveal more about its health risks. Forget the crunching, ponmo kills silently but most Nigerians hate to hear this because they cannot reason beyond their stomachs. Let me reiterate it again that consuming N100 crayfish is more beneficial to health than consuming N1000 worth of ponmo.
“It is quite funny that most Nigerians will go for ponmo and neglect fruits and vegetables. What is the essence of consuming ponmo burnt with tyres and other dangerous materials which expose one to a great health risk when it can be avoided?”
When told that our forefathers consumed ponmo during their days and lived longer than our generation she said that foods during their days were fresh, available and affordable. “Their foods then were not seasoned like ours and the ponmo they consumed during their time were not burnt using tyres. Their fruits were not grown with fertilizers unlike what we have now. Their environment then were not chemically polluted like the case now, which was the reason they lived longer. Let’s do away with ponmo for better health. It has no nutritional value but nutritional hazards.” she warned.