Isese festival: Ogun, Osun Lagos, Oyo declare Monday work-free
Ogun Lagos, Osun and Oyo states government have declared Monday, August 21 a work-free day to commemorate the Isese Day celebration.
Lagos State government in a post on Twitter — on Saturday, Jibril Gawat, senior special assistant to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, said the announcement was made in a circular issued by Hakeem Muri-Okunola, the state’s head of service.
He said the decision reaffirmed the governor’s “commitment to continue to provide the necessary support to traditional institutions in the state to promote our indigenous culture and tradition while preserving our heritage”.
Gawat added that public workers in the state are billed to resume by 8 am on Tuesday.
The announcement comes a few hours after the Oyo government had also declared Monday a work-free day in the state to mark the festival.
Olanike Adeyemo, the secretary to the state government (SSG), announced that Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, has approved the holiday.
The Isese festival, marked annually on August 20, is celebrated by adherents of the Yoruba traditional religion.
The day is commemorated by several processions and worships of the multitude of gods that make up the Yoruba traditional religion pantheon.
Meanwhile, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has declared Monday, 21st August 2023 as a public holiday to commemorate the annual Isese Day.
Isese Day is set aside by traditional religious worshippers to celebrate Yoruba culture and tradition.
Governor Abiodun, on 7th, March 2023 issued an executive order, declaring August 20 of every year as Isese Day in Ogun State.
The state House of Assembly, on July 11, gave legal backing to the executive order.
Governor Abiodun, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Lekan Adeniran on Saturday, praised the existing harmony among the adherents of all religions in the Gateway State.
He said the recognition granted Isese Day was to continue in the tradition of respecting the tradition of our people and ensure the continuation of the unity and harmony among the three major religions in the state.
Prince Abiodun reaffirmed his commitment to supporting and respecting all religions in the state.
He also expressed the commitment of his administration to promote, preserve and nurture the culture and tradition of our people.
While congratulating the traditional religion worshippers on the occasion, he also urged them to celebrate with decorum and avoid acts capable of threatening the existing peace in the state.
It would be recalled that Prince Abiodun established the Board of Alternate Medicine on the 29th of September, 2020 to support alternative medical practitioners in the state.
This is in recognition of their roles as traditional birth attendants among other contributions to the wellbeing of the people of the state.
