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The record-breaking African Spinach
By JOAN ODAFE
A towering 9.5-foot tall African Spinach has been discovered in Ikoro-Ekiti, a town in Ekiti State.
The plant, locally known as ‘Efo Tete,’ which is possibly the tallest ever recorded spinach in Africa, has sparked scientific curiosity and tourism interest.
This was contained in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.
The statement was signed by the Director-General of Ekiti State Tourism Development Bureau, Mr. Wale Ojo-Lanre.
According to Ojo-Lanre, the spinach, which is still growing and yet to produce seeds, was discovered in the backyard of Mr. Lawrence Ajolokan, a farmer in Eso-Obe Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of the state.
“This isn’t just a plant. It’s a potential world record holder, a scientific curiosity, and a tourism gem all wrapped in one,” Ojo-Lanre said.
According to Ajolokan, he planted the seed in June 2024 and had harvested parts of the plant previously.
The farmer, however, said he had consistently avoided harvesting one particular stalk due to a strange instinct that “something” told him not to weed or harvest it.
While left untouched, the spinach kept growing to its current height of 9.5 feet, still growing with no visible fruiting yet.
Ajolokan said he hadn’t realised the plant’s uniqueness until Mr. Lester Olaifa, a journalist and community leader at Ikoro, drew his attention to its unique height and thickness, while visiting his farm.
The Chairman of Eso-Obe LCDA, Mr. Bankole Ayeni, said that protective measures were put in place to preserve the plant.
According to the statement, the fears are coming from the interest from both the tourism and agricultural sectors, as the spinach has surpassed the tallest known African Spinach recorded at 8.3 feet in Benue in 2018.
The traditional ruler of the community, Olukoro of Ikoro-Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Adeleye, praised the state government for its swift response upon discovery of the unique plant.
“Ikoro is not just an ancient town but a custodian of living heritage,” he said.
NAN reports that the bureau has commenced documentation and is consulting agricultural experts to investigate the factors behind the plant’s unusual growth, as well as to discuss plans for its preservation and future exhibition. (NAN)
