One of the nature's gifts to Offa community is the Gogo Natural Spring! some households in Shawo Ward is Gogo natural spring. It has its water source from the rock landscape that borders it. It is situtated between Ansaru-Islam Primary School and Olugbense Primary school around Osunte-Isale Ade axis.
This scenic water spot has been a living host
to some of us as children in the late 70s. This water destination was usually
flocked by all and sundry all year round to fetch water for drinking, washing
etc because it is the only perennial spring and sole drinkable water supply
source in the area at that time. The mental pictures of those glorious and
gracious days are still fresh in my graphic memory. It never runs dry; typical
of a famous reading class in Chemistry Dept, A.B.U. Zaria, called "Sea
Never Dry".
It is not unusual that few myths surround its
origin and existence. Gogo, as it's fondly called, is believed to be a very
caring and motherly spring, meaning 'Abiyamo" in yoruba context. One of
the nearest neighbours to Gogo spring said that it (Gogo) doesn't like people
fighting around the spring while fetching water. It does separate the fight by
coming out in a form of snake and people took their flight immediately. Another
myth associated with it is that some women used to clear the leave droplets and
other debris from the water surface twice a week now based on divine
instructions from the spirit of Gogo. Also, Gogo doesn't like people entering
its water zone with slippers or shoes. Today, a typical sign of a mini shrine
is noticed around the water side based on the believe in the spiritual
instructions from Gogo.
It was also speculated that the Gogo spring is
where the legendary Oba Olugbense was taken to after his rescue from the
inferno that gutted the palace by princess Emiola Iyaipo.
This piece will never be complete without huge
appreciations to the passionate communal strides of heads of households (Baale)
in Oke Oro, Isale Ade, Osunte etc who used to mobilise volunteers for cleaning
and expansion of Gogo spring's surface in the peak of very dry season around
March/April in early 60s to late 70s when Gogo used to be the only lifeline or
saving grace.
Gogo, as a name in lexical context, is
strongly believed to have its origin from the Nupe language, depicting a
Matriarch, or Matron. In hausa, it means the eldest and caring woman or Head of
Admin, women folks. More historical research will reveal the details behind the
adoption of Gogo as a name for the natural
spring in a non-Nupe community.
Today, Gogo natural spring is still
functioning as a perennial water source as ever for some of the residents in
the area especially those with limited access to water supply from boreholes.
Though, the rising popularity of borehole in our community has however dwarfed
the great sense of indispensability of Gogo natural spring but it still has its
glorious and gracious place in our lives.
In a closing remark, learning more about our
heritage is not only beneficial but also a form of continuous assessment for
students without which students may not fully achieve their God's given
potentials. It will be wise and nice not to forget Gogo natural spring, as its
water nurtured some of us like the plantain tree that nurtured the cocoa tree
to maturity.
Written by:
Maruf Olalekan AJENIFUJA
