https://citynewswatch2020.wixsite.com/ijebunewswatch/post/ponmo-industry-revolution-turning-ijebu-igbo-to-the-dubai-of-odua-republic

*PONMO INDUSTRY REVOLUTION - TURNING IJEBU IGBO TO THE DUBAI OF ODUA REPUBLIC*

By
Dr. Saint

4th August, 2020

Some years ago when government attempted to ban Ponmo production to the advantage of leather industries, quite numbers of the producers and the retailers sustenance were dreadfully threatened, with tears rolling out and the social media awashed with protest from concerned Nigerians saying, No – Ko Jo Rara, #bringbackourponmo#

Hence, the feasibility study carried out on ponmo cottage industry in Ijebu Igbo exhibits how the lucrative venture could invoke economic revolution that will inclusively address major challenges militating against the development of the town, if the concerned influential citizens and government set to collaborate and take the bull by the horn.

Ponmo business in Ijebu Igbo has been in existence for over 50yrs as professed by one Adigun Abiola. It is a popular delicacy among Nigerians, especially people of the South-West, which is rich in fibre and vitamins and good for body consumption. Ponmo is cow skin processed to become edible and is often used in lieu of beef or such other condiments. The processed ponmo is used for Egusi soup, Pepper soup, Banga soup and Vegetable.

Literally, there are two major types of ponmo; the brown and the white. Ijebu Igbo people practitioners are renowned for their expertise in the production of the brown ponmo in commercial quantities with so many people engaged in diverse aspects of the trade. It is a venture that is presently filling the vacuum of unemployment in the town. And in spite of the multitude who engaged in the business, demand is still high, ensuring that every person trades at a high profit.

A special study carried out on this venture in Ijebu Igbo shows that it can be extremely developed and promoted to the international level for the advantage of economic development of the town. Bringing economic revolution to the ponmo business in Ijebu Igbo can be harnessed by both government and private organizations, with proactive intervention in harmonizing and consolidating all individual practitioner efforts with aim and objective of revolutionary the industry to the good economic development of the town.

In this vein, a projection towards building PONMON INDUSTRIAL HUB on a large expanse of land in Ijebu Igbo is hereby proposed, where infrastructures, health system and modern technology will be put in place to attract foreign investors. It is a developmental initiative believed could be facilitated by Government and private partnership intervention.

The Ijebu Igbo Ponmo is a popular cow skin hygienically processed into an edible stuff for both the rich and the average common man. It has become a very lucrative venture in the town as it is often exported to major parts of Nigeria including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and many other towns.

Ijebu Igbo is the headquarters of Ijebu North local government in Ogun State. Aside the farming, Okada transport, sawmill, cow butchery and petty trading, Ponmo venture has become a very strong enterprise that is providing massive employment towards the sustenance of the community wellbeing.

This proposed Ponmo industrial hub in the town is expected to integrate and reposition all the independent practitioners within the town into one unified and regulated entity to the advantage of reducing environmental and health hazards, and expansive economic prosperity of the town.

The policy of this assemblage where the production will be confined to a specific terrain is expected to give room for substantive regulations, incorporation and administration, which is expected to attract World Bank, Bank of Industry and cooperate bodies’ interests for further investments and technological promotion.

In the study, some of the advantages to derive from this proposal will include:
• More employment opportunities for the youth
• More investment drives to the Elite
• More government attentions to the town
• The dead financial institutions in the town would be revived.
• It will enhance economic prosperity of the town
• Revenue generation will rise
• Foreign investors will be attracted
• There shall be security for the business

In the final note, as the economic benefits of Ponmo industry can never be over-estimated, it is a drive that the local and State government can look into by setting up a committee to work on this proposal.

At this juncture, it becomes imperative for all concerned and interested parties to map out the strategies of influencing both government and private organizations to enhance the Ponmo ventures so as to turn Ijebu Igbo, our pride, to become the DUBAI of ODUA REPUBLIC.

Admin, front page pls

People will be coming from China, Malaysia, US Switzerland to come and buy Ponmo Very nice idea

Ponmo is also a by-product of sKmining.