Following the celebration of this year’s ‘Isese Day,’ the Araba of Ibadanland and Olu Isese, Chief Ifalere Odegbemi Odegbola, has appealed to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to declare August 20 of each year as public holiday for traditional worshippers in the state.
Odegbola, while speaking during this year’s ‘Isese Day’ celebration, said that traditional religion worshippers have been advocating for August 20 to be declared as public holiday for a very long time to no avail.
He said, “During the time of late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, we approached him and he said it was only when the state House of Assembly approved it that he could act on it. And eventually, we approached the House and they approved it, but the governor refused to approve it.”
He added that since Governor Makinde came on board, he has written many letters to him to that effect, but he has not acted on it till now.
He added, “It is very unfortunate that it is only when these politicians want to contest for elective offices that they value traditional worshippers. The moment we pray for them traditionally and they get what they want, they forget about us. Governor Makinde came to us while planning to become the governor of Oyo State and we prayed for him traditionally, and he was victorious in the election. Now, he has abandoned us. We never demanded for money or positions from him, we only asked for our right to have August 20, as public holiday for traditional religion worshippers.”
Speaking on the significance of ‘Isese Day’, Araba Ile Ibadan said that the festival is mainly to pray traditionally for peace and development of the land.
He enthused, “‘Isese Day’ is our own way of contributing to the peace and development of our land. ‘Isese Day’ is for all traditional worshippers in Ibadan. And it is only the Araba of Ibadanland and Olu Isese that has the power to organize it.”
He said that any other group or individuals who organise the festival without the consent of Araba of Ibadanland should henceforth desist from such practice.
He also called for swearing of oath of office the traditional way, stating that the current method used in the country is against the people and the reason why those in positions of authority are not doing the right thing for the people who elected or put them into positions.
He added, “The current method of oath swearing in Nigeria is against the people. Those occupying positions of authority should do it traditionally and use gods and deities in the land to swear. By this, they will not mismanage the resources of the land. They will perform better and attend to people welfare.”
