• Seek traditional oath-taking for public office holders
• Oyo acting governor calls for religious harmony
Traditionalists in Ondo State have appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to emulate his colleagues in the South-west region by declaring Isese Day a public holiday.
The traditionalists, who converged on Adegbemile Cultural Centre in Akure to celebrate World Isese Day, called for oath-taking traditionally by political office holders on assumption of office to curb their excesses.
According to the Araba Isese of Ondo State, Folorunsho Adetunji, a public holiday in place in the state, would afford the Isese adherents to come together as an avenue to get closer to their creator and offer supplications.
He said: “Isese Day is the celebration of origin and showcasing the doings of our ancestors in the early period. Our culture and customs are all summed up under the Isese celebration.
“Traditional religion should be accorded the same respect as other religions. Traditional worshippers also have a critical role to play in the development of the state and country.
“Isese Day should be seen as a day to celebrate Yoruba traditions, culture, customs, and spirituality. “Isese Day celebration cuts across all traditional lines. The practice of Isese involves communication with ancestors and other spirits through prayers, offerings, and divination to help propose solutions to the challenges confronting the country.
“We want to plead with the government of Ondo State to grant the state traditionalists a public holiday and also give them a sense of belonging. This is to show us that we are not sidelined and to communicate to us that the government is fair.
Also speaking, Araba Awo of Okeagbe, Ayobami Ogedengbe, stressed that political officeholders traditionally taking oaths would go a long way by adding another dimension to the country’s political space.
RELATEDLY, Oyo State Acting Governor, Bayo Lawal, has called for religious harmony in the state, urging traditional leaders to be open to more healthy practices for more peaceful co-existence among every citizen.
The acting governor made the call, yesterday, during the grand finale of the maiden anniversary of “Isese Day” held at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan.
Lawal, who stressed the importance of every religious adherent, especially the traditionalists in a time like this, called for harmonious dealing for enviable peace, unity and socio-economic development
In his remarks, Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Wasiu Olatunbosun, appealed for continued support from the government by every traditionalist adherent in the security of the state natively.
Earlier, the Araba Oluseese of Ibadanland, Ifalere Odegbemi Odegbola and Aare Isese of Oyo State, Omikunle Egbelade, called for due reflection of rich cultural beliefs, culture and economies of the forefathers among adherents for more socio-economic development.
