A monarch in Ogun State, the Olota of Ota, Oba Abdulkabir Adeyemi Obalanlege, has urged President Bola Tinubu to make ‘Isese’ Day, a national celebration, adding that the development would be an avenue for peaceful co-existence and showcase the rich cultural and traditional values of the people across the country.
Obalanlege, made call in his palace while making a presentation on the theme ‘Embracing Traditional Religion For Peaceful, Co-existence In The Global Village’, declaring that preparations have been concluded to host the maiden edition of Isese Day on Sunday, 20th August.
Olota said, “In the constitution of Nigeria, everyone is entitled to practice a religion of choice for the furtherance of peace especially in this democratic setting. I am not discriminating but to allow for religions to foster peaceful co-existence and bring solutions to societal issues”
The Chairman, Isese Parapo Organization and Araba of Ota, Oluwo Dr. Fasola Faniyi, stated that the event would demostrate the richness of African cultural heritage which in no doubt would promote peaceful co-existence devoid of ethnic acrimony.
He said, “We have long yearned for every 20th of August to be set aside for our annual ‘Isese’ festival, we have written a series of letters and press releases to the powers that be, but all were to no avail. We the traditionalists in Ogun state ought to have gotten a day set aside for us since time immemorial but we are appreciating Prince Dapo Abiodun for taking the bold step of doing what his predecessors could not do for us despite all pleas”
The Coordinator of Traditional Practitioners in Ota, Chief Fatai Aina Alebiosu, and Yeye Iwase, Chief Mrs. Iyabo Ahmed, said the traditional practice had never disappointed the forefathers’ calling on Ota indigenes both at home and in the diaspora to troop out in grand style to celebrate ‘Isese’ Day, pointing out that their attendance would further support Yoruba rich cultural values.
