The Lagos State government has said that the request by the Association of African Traditional Religion of Nigeria and Overseas (AATREN)to officially recognize the 20th of August every year as Isese Day, is receiving government’s attention.
The programme to mark this year’s Isese Day took place on Friday with a conference in Ilasan playing ground in Ajah area of Lagos State, and the theme for this year’s event is “African Traditional Religion Catalyst To National Peace And Stability’
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State ,who was represented at the event by Femi Martins, Senior Assistant to the governor, on Tourism Arts and Culture, stated that the theme for this year’s seminar “African Traditional Religion Catalyst To National Peace And Stability” is very timely as the association continues to strengthen the bond of unity among the various ethnic groups and adherents of every religious beliefs in the societies.
He said, “It is established that our traditional religion preaches peace, love and tolerance. Our indigenous religion in particular is well positioned to aid the promotion of national peace and development because it focuses on lifelong principles based on communal concern for the well being of all. When this is pursued it regulates behaviour, conducts and actions of individuals in the society.Our traditional religion is a significant part of our culture and therefore will continue to receive the recognition it deserves. As a government we will continue to create the atmosphere for our citizen to practice their faith.
“This administration appreciates and acknowledges the various ways AATREN has contributed to the peaceful co-existence in our state and that is why the call for the official recognition of of 20th of August every year as the Isese Day is receiving the attention of government, especially the State House of Assembly’’
Speaking on the important role that traditional worshipers have played in the society, High Chief Ifasegun Elegushi, the Opemoluwa of Ikateland and the president of AATREN, stated that Olodumare is supreme, and urged people to understand that most times their problems come from their roots.
He said,” People should not ignore their roots, which is why you see Pastors and prophets will tell people to go to their villages and do certain cleansing because that is where their problems are coming from and once they do that, they will see changes in their lives. It is the reason that we enjoining people not to fight their roots.
“Traditional religion worshipers are peace loving people. We invited Christians and Muslims today in this programme. Tradition worshipers are concerned about the development of the state and the country. We are aware that all of us came from different deities and we shouldn’t allow our fore bearers to place curses on us because of our actions.
Oba Elegushi appealed to the youths to learn morals, stop joining cult groups because there are consequences for any negative action, even as he appealed to the Lagos State government to hasten the signing into law, their request of 20th August every year as Isese Day.
“We the traditional worshipers have been praying for those in government. We have been praying for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and by the grace of God he will get to that place that he is seeking victoriously.We plead with him and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, we have been praying for him. We want them to grant our request of giving us a holiday on the 20th of August every year as Isese Day,” he said.
‘’People should not ignore their roots, which is why you see Pastors and prophets will tell people to go to their villages and do certain cleansing because that is where their problems are coming from and once they do that, they will see changes in their lives. It is the reason that we enjoining people not to fight their roots.Traditional religion worshippers are peace loving people. We invited Christians and Muslims today in this programme. Tradition worshipers are concerned about the development of the state and the country. We are aware that all of us came from different deities and we shouldn’t allow our fore bearers to place curses on us because of our actions’’
Oba Elegushi appealed to the youths to learn morals, stop joining cult groups because there are consequences for any negative action, even as he appealed to the Lagos State government to hasten the signing into law, their request of 20th August every year as Isese Day.
Meanwhile,the Traditional Religion Worshippers Association (TRWASSO), Oyo State Branch, has renewed the call for the state government to set aside a day for public holiday dedicated to the Isese Day Festival.
The body in a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan on Friday and signed by its Secretary, Mogaji Dr. Fayemi Fatunde Fakayode and the Treasurer, Chief Kehinde Ogunyemi, said the call was necessary to remind the State government that favoring some religious sects while neglecting the other portrayed the administration of the present government under the leadership of Engr. Seyi Makinde as sectional.
It described the unconcerned attitude of the state government to the lawful demand by its members for a holiday as indicative of the governor’s hatred for traditionalists.
It added:“We are once again calling on the State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde to tow the line of his Osun State counterpart that has set aside a day as holiday for the ISESE DAY since 2014, we will not keep quiet till our demand is met.We have tried all our best to demand for this holiday through series of letters, peaceful protest, lobbying and legislative backing, but the governor is yet to accede to our demand, does that mean he hates us so much?
“The neglect we are currently facing from this administration has shown that they do not have any respect for us as a people that also voted to have them in office.These same people are the ones that have made the ‘Muslim-Muslim’ ‘Muslim-Christian’ tickets for political offices a national discourse, where is the place of the traditionalists?”
