Kunle Adelabu
There are serious threats to the continued existence of Etunrenren natural spring water and part of the landmark and historic monuments in Ikorodu and Lagos State at large.
The Chief Priest of the heritage, Otunba Olaniyi Ajadi Banjoko, lamented the threats on Monday, when a team – Iga Nigeria Limited, that is documenting some heritages, monuments and historical sites in Ikorodu, led by Mr Daniel Tayo, visited the place.
Aside the fact that the natural spring water, which origin is shrouded in mystery, has served the Ikorodu Kingdom as the source of water from time immemorial, the stream also plays very significant traditional role in the coronation of an Oba in lkorodu Kingdom, as any Oba- elect for the coveted throne of the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, has to drink the water from the stream for three months while in ‘Ipebi’ (place of traditional seclusion) before his actual ascension to the throne.
When the team visited the groove, which has two important features – the source of the Etunrenren spring water and shrine where her devotees converged to conduct their traditional service and perform necessary rituals, it was discovered that the stream may go into extinction in no time if urgent steps are not taken to safeguard and preserve the heritage.
It is a natural spring water of great values to the lkorodu town and lkorodu division as a whole. It serves the entire town, and it’s equally highly medicinal and spiritual. It is also said that the Etunrenren stream was the source of water used by Ragolis Water (now rested), which was the first bottle water in Nigeria.
Over the years, the development around the Etunrenren stream has been causing serious environmental issues, and consequently causing damages to this monument.
“At first, we experienced serious erosion which created big gorge and subsequently, the place has turned into a dumping site for the whole community, which is very terrible. This place is now where residents and Hausas that are pushing carts are now illegally dumping their refuse.
“This is not good at all, they are only polluting the source of this natural water which is very important to Ikorodu town, Division, and Lagos State as a whole.
“You can hear the smell from the huge gabbages dumped in the huge gully created by the erosion which is down the stream. This is not the situation about seven months ago before I travelled for about six months.
“What we are planning now is to erect a wall to prevent further dumping of refuse, but the damage has already been done”, Otunba Banjoko lamented.
Explaining the importance of the water, Otunba Banjoko, who assumed office as the Chief Priest of the traditional monument about seven years ago, said that it has served as water for fertility, spiritual, medicinal and traditional purposes.
“We have two things here: the water source and shrine. It is the water of fertility and its cures many ailments. It is used in taking care of the children and women.
“The stream has traditional purpose too. Usually, it is customary for the Oba – elect to drink from it for three months that he would stay in the traditional seclusion”, he said.
Also emphasizing his efforts as the chief custodian of the site, Otunba Banjoko said that aside the ongoing construction of fence to ward off residents from dumping refuse into the sacred site, he has also on two occasions brought dredgers to clear the stream’s channel.
He appealed to the Lagos State Government, on the need to intervene and preserve the heritage.
“Also as part of my contributions to preserve the place, I have rented excavator twice, and the last time it was rented at N450, 000. This is in my attempt to manage the place as its Chief Priest.
Although, he said that residents and other people from near and far usually come around to take the water and they charged N2,500 for five litres, which he said amounted to nothing compared to what is being expended to maintain the place.
“We are appealing to the Lagos State Government, to intervene and assist us in preserving this place.
“Our request is simple, and thank God that I am not a Priest that is after wealth as God has blessed me, but I believe in the sanctity and spirituality of this water and all it can do for Ikorodu, Lagos State and Nigeria at large.
“We are losing it if we let it to further be polluted and messed up. We want the government to clean and preserve the site. Those are the things that we want.
“When I assumed office as the Chief Priest of this place, it wasn’t like this. There were no tiles here in the shrine and within a short time, I have fixed white tiles all around the shrine where we observe the deity of the river.
“All that I can do within my power have been done. I planned constructing the steps from the hill where we have the shrine down to the stream before the erosion came and washed the land away. The intension was to do silver railings along with it for easy ascending and descending the stream.
“I also planned to barricade the stream and make it clean and healthy. Fishes do flow in the stream before now. The sand from the stream is also good for construction.
“The water has so many advantages but we are losing it. People are polluting it and we will suffer for it if we don’t desist and embark on concerted efforts to preserve it”, Chief Banjoko warned.
