Gist: 'Misplaced priorities,' say Nigerians as the government prepares to outlaw 'Kpomo' in order to boost leather production.

Famous media personality Daddy Freeze, Monica Friday, and other Nigerians have reacted to the federal government's proposal to prohibit the consumption of animal skin, known locally as ponmo, in the country to revitalize tanneries.

On Sunday, Muhammad Yakubu, director-general of the Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology (NILEST), Zaria, stated this in Abuja. He claimed that the lawsuit was necessary to resurrect the country's dormant leather industry.

He believes that eating animal skin, which has no nutritional value, should be discontinued to save the industry and boost the nation's economy. The institute, in collaboration with industry stakeholders, will approach the national assembly and state governments to propose legislation prohibiting "ponmo" consumption, according to the director-general.

According to him, the consumption of animal skin is partly to blame for the tanneries' current state of coma in Nigeria. He also stated that the current National Leather Policy had addressed some of the sector's fundamental issues.

Yakubu also urged stakeholders to support the legislation and the national leather policy to revitalize the industry.

However, in response to this, Daddy Freeze wrote on his Instagram blog,

“I love the fact that our country is run by utter geniuses.”

Monica Friday wrote, “Can we ban darkness for one year instead? Justice for ponmo.”

Singer Chike wrote: “Oh Nooo!”

Officialdyijay wrote: “So, this is Nigeria’s major issue now? Misplaced priorities.”