• Sanwo-Olu, Adeleke urge preservation of Yoruba heritage, sustained religious tolerance
• We must continue to live in unity, says Oyo Acting Governor

Traditional worshippers in Ogun State have called on the President Bola Tinubu-led government to intensify efforts to tackle insecurity caused by insurgency in the country to safeguard the lives and property of Nigerians.

The worshippers made the appeal, yesterday, during 2026 Isese Day held at Oke-Abola Praying Ground, while expressing concern over the rising cases of insecurity and their impact on citizens and communities.

They urged the Federal Government to strengthen security measures and take decisive action against the insurgency groups, including Bandits, Boko Haram, kidnappers, as well as those involved in other social vices that serve as threats to national peace.

Aro Ifakayode Akanbi, who spoke on behalf of Isese worshippers, called on the President to urgently address the growing insecurity in the country and implement effective security measures to curb insurgency and banditry across the nation.

He, however, urged the Federal Government to involve traditional worshippers in joint security operations to tackle insecurity in the country, saying that the use of ancestral powers could help to bring the menace to an end.

The Oluwo Ifa Egba, Ifagbeminiyi Baoku, lauded the President for making Isese Day a reality during his tenure, insisting that the best way to appreciate the gesture was for worshippers to cast their votes en masse in the 2027 elections.

Earlier, the Oluwo Ifa of Ogun State, Akanni Anipupo, thanked Governor Dapo Abiodun for supporting Isese Day and urged the state government to renovate Ifa House, as well as Igbale Egun and Igbale Igunnuko.

ALSO in Oyo State, the Acting Governor, Bayo Lawal, has urged all residents of the state to continue to live in unity, noting that the peaceful coexistence among adherents of different religions in the state has remained one of the state’s greatest strengths and the reason it has continued to grow by leaps and bounds.

Lawal, represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Kazeem Adeniyi, stated this yesterday, during the grand finale of the 2026 Isese Day Festival themed “Unity is the Way to Success,” held at the Indoor Tennis Court of the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan.

SIMILARLY, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, marked the 2026 Isese Day with a call on residents to actively safeguard and pass on the Yoruba cultural heritage and traditions to future generations.

Sanwo-Olu gave the charge in a message posted on his official X platform yesterday to commemorate the yearly celebration, which honours Yoruba traditional heritage and cultural identity.

Also, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to promoting religious harmony and respecting the diversity of faiths across the state.

In his message, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, represented by the Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, thanked Isese worshippers for their cordial relationship with other faiths.

He urged them to continue upholding and promoting tradition while ensuring the state remains free from social vices.

In their separate welcome addresses, the Araba/Olu-Isese of Ibadanland, Ifalere Odegbemi Odegbola II, and the Aare Isese of Oyo State, Omikunle Egbelade, appreciated Governor Seyi Makinde for his consistent support for culture and tourism, noting that the government’s commitment has fostered unity, peace, and religious tolerance while also boosting the state’s economy.

They described Isese as the traditional foundation of spirituality, morality, family, community, nature, and ancestral reverence, noting that Isese provides guidance on the Yoruba way of life.

Adeleke, while congratulating traditional religion worshippers in the state and beyond on the occasion of this year’s Isese Day celebration, urged adherents to sustain religious tolerance and pray for peace and progress.

The governor, in a congratulatory message issued by his Spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, yesterday, noted that Isese Day holds significant importance for the identity and spirituality of traditional religion worshippers, describing the celebration as an opportunity to honour faith and heritage.