A fascinating encounter unfolded at Jiwo Academy in Niger State when a serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Farouk Ele-Ojo Naek, had his first experience with the local fruit known as Goriba—though he mistakenly referred to it as Goliba due to language differences.
While teaching his students, Farouk noticed something fall from a student’s bag. When he inquired, the student explained that it was not a stone, but a fruit called Goriba, a popular local delicacy in Niger State. Amused by the situation, Farouk jokingly said, “A fruit that sounds like David's stone?” causing the class to burst into laughter.
Curious about this unusual fruit, Farouk decided to try it for himself. During the break period, he saw many students eating Goriba and approached a local vendor to buy some. Expecting to pay only 100 naira for a single piece, he was surprised when the vendor handed him ten pieces for 200 naira. Excited by the seemingly generous offer, he eagerly returned to his seat, thinking he had found a new snack.
However, his enthusiasm quickly turned to frustration when he tried to bite into the fruit. Farouk soon realized that the Goriba was much harder than he anticipated, nearly causing him to lose a tooth in the process. Seeking advice from two of his students, Suleiman from Primary 4 and Aisha from JSS 3, he was told that the fruit needed to be softened by hitting it against a wall or the ground.
Though disappointed by his initial attempt, Farouk ended up sharing the fruit with his students, who seemed to have no trouble eating it. This experience left him pondering how the locals could enjoy the fruit with such ease while he struggled. Despite the challenges, Farouk’s encounter with Goriba became a humorous and memorable lesson in the unique culture of Niger State.
In the days that followed, Farouk couldn't get Goriba out of his head, often jokingly singing "Goliba, Goliba" to himself. Farouk shared his amusing experience on Facebook, where it quickly gained attention and sparked a variety of reactions. Many of his followers were amused by his struggle with the fruit, with some offering advice on how to eat it properly, while others expressed surprise that someone new to the region had never encountered it before.
His post became a conversation starter, with many people expressing their fondness for Goriba and how it has been a part of their daily lives. Farouk’s story highlights the unique cultural experiences that come with living in different parts of Nigeria, and how, despite language barriers and differences, these experiences create moments of connection and laughter.
Farouk’s experience serves as a reminder of the unique and fascinating wonders that different regions of Nigeria have to offer, leaving him excited for what other surprises Niger State has in store, with hopes of encountering Mbambara next week.
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