Call for Isese day national holiday: Muric backs traditionalists
The Muslim Rights Concern has expressed support for the demand by traditionalists for the Federal Government to declare Isese Day a national holiday.
The International Council for Ifa Religion had on Wednesday urged President Bola Tinubu to accord Isese adherents the same holiday privileges as Muslims and Christians.
Specifically, the traditionalists demanded August 20 and 21 as national holidays, noting that Isese Day is observed annually for cultural and religious celebrations.
Council President, Fayemi Fakayode, called on Tinubu to address what he described as inequality among the three major religions in Nigeria by giving due recognition to Isese practitioners.
He said, “We call for national recognition from President Tinubu through the declaration of August 20 and 21 as public holidays for Isese across Nigeria. We also want the government to fund cultural festivals, protect shrines and sacred lands, and integrate practitioners into cultural councils, as it is being done for Muslims and Christians.”
Already, the governments of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Osun states declared Wednesday a public holiday in commemoration of Isese Day.
Speaking, the Executive Director of MURIC, Prof Ishaq Akintola, said Muslims had no objection to the demand, describing it as an issue of fundamental human rights.
He said, “We don’t have any objection to that. If what they are asking for is collective, for their group, why should we object? If the government gives them, it doesn’t disturb us.
“What is interesting in Nigeria is that when Muslims demand something, some people will stand up somewhere and say, no, Muslims should not be given. That is selfishness. We are not selfish. Let them give their holidays. The more, the merrier. No objection.”
Also speaking on the significance of Wednesday’s Isese Day commemoration, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, stressed the need to preserve traditional religion as part of the Yoruba heritage.
Through his media aide, Mr Bode Durojaiye, Owoade noted that declaring Isese Day a holiday would help address the marginalisation of traditional religion.
He said, “Our traditional religion is part of our heritage, which needs to be preserved and recognised. The frontal attack on Yoruba religious, socio-cultural and spiritual traditions must be resisted and confronted.
“Muslims celebrate various feasts attached to the life and times of Prophet Mohammed all around the world yearly, and Christians celebrate feasts associated with the life and times of Jesus Christ.
“The Isese Day has been set aside to celebrate the indigenous Yoruba culture and traditions as well as the preservation of the Yoruba heritage.”
The monarch explained that cultural and religious holidays were symbolic, noting that Isese Day also serves as a corrective to the historical marginalisation of African traditional religion.
He added, “Traditional African society, religion, traditions and culture are vehicles for character formation, hence a means of education through which members of the society become well adapted. It gives meaning to life, forges identity and regulates social life.
“Cultural heritage is the legacy of physical artefacts and intangible attributes of a group or society inherited from past generations, maintained in the present and bestowed for the benefit of future generations.”
Also, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday, assured adherents of Isese that his administration would continue to promote and support their activities in order to preserve the cultural and traditional heritage of the people.
The governor, who spoke through the state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Wasiu Olatubosun, gave the assurance at the grand finale of the 2025 Isese Festival, themed “Unity Is the Way to Success,” held at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan.
This was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, in Ibadan.
Makinde commended Isese devotees for their peaceful coexistence, tolerance, and support for government, as well as for upholding the cultural heritage of the state through the preservation of traditional beliefs. He urged them to continue to make traditional festivals and practices attractive to younger generations in order to ensure continuity.
Earlier in his remarks, Olatubosun, who also spoke in his capacity as Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, lauded Makinde for ensuring that the Sango Festival was enlisted and recognized as the first Yoruba cultural festival of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
He said: “I want to express gratitude to the governor for always keeping to his promises. Let’s recall, during the electioneering period, he promised that if he became the governor, he would ensure there is a holiday for the celebration of Isese Day and, today, it has become a reality.
“Apart from that, he promised that in his administration, there would be equality in the three major religions in the state — Christianity, Islam and traditionalism. This shows he is a governor for all.
“We have been clamouring for this for a long time in this state, all to no avail. But since Makinde came on board, he has ensured that every religion is carried along and we are happy with this development.
“For all of these achievements, our elders are expressing gratitude. We have been celebrating this event in the stadium since last year and we are very happy to be here. I am glad about the turnout at today’s event. Seeing even the little children gladdens my heart.
“Having said that, I want to urge us all to continue to support the governor, who has started well, so that he can end well. Always remember him and the state in your prayers.”*
In his goodwill message, the Olubadan-designate, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, represented by Mogaji Adesina Olatunji Aresa, thanked stakeholders for their cordial relationship and assured continued support for the Isese celebration and its adherents.
The President of the Traditional Religion Worshippers Association of Oyo State, Dasola Adefabi, also appreciated Makinde for declaring August 20 every year as a public holiday for Isese Day. He urged devotees to continue promoting peaceful coexistence.
Delivering his sermon titled “Unity,” the state Asiwaju Awo, Olufade Olanipekun, encouraged Isese leaders to engage youths through innovation and modern technologies to enhance inclusiveness in the preservation of their sacred heritage.
In their separate welcome addresses, the state Aare Isese, Omikunle Egbelade, and the Araba/Olu-Isese of Ibadanland, Ifalere Odegbemi, thanked the creator for another opportunity to celebrate Isese Day. They called on adherents to remain united in preserving traditions and protecting spirituality, so that Isese would stand as a beacon of wisdom for generations yet unborn.
