2022 Isese Day Celebration: Declare public holiday for Ifa festival like Muslims, Christians – Traditionalists tell Buhari, Abiodun

By Jumoke Adeogun, Abeokuta, Abeokuta

Traditional worshipers in Ogun State has appealed to Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun to declare August 20 as a public holiday for traditionalists in the state.

This, the traditionalists said, would allow them to carry out ‘rituals’ in commemoration of the ‘2021 Isese Day’.

The Chief Aregbesola Anipupo Oluwo Ifa of Ogun State while speaking on behalf of the worshippers at 2022 Isese day celebration at Oke-Abola and Alake of Egbaland Palace.

He urged Gov Abiodun to give importance to the worship of Ifa oracle in Ogun.

Touching on the significance of the Isese Day festival, the Ifa priest emphasised that “traditional religion is the first religion authorised by God, before any other religions begins to spring up.”

He stressed that traditional religion deserves the same recognition and popularity as Christianity and Islam has in the World.

He stated, “We are still pleading to the government of this state to let them know that what we are doing is not bad. We need them to support us.

“We know that everything that we do, we need government’s support and we are still pleading with them.

“Even this one that we are doing, we are begging Governor Dapo Abiodun to give us holiday as done in other states. We in Ogun State, we are expecting our governor to declare public holiday for us.”

In addition Chief Ifaniaki Amosun Chairman Isese Parapo Egba  & International Council of Ifa Religion said, the public holiday would be used for,,  a very important things to dinner and wine with all sundry. Explained, that we are doing now is to pray for the world.

“This Ifa that we are doing, there is no bad thing in it. Look at what is going on in this country now, the way we need to pray for our country is what we are doing.

“We are praying, and that is what we still want to do on August 20 at Oke Aregba. We will come together to pray for peace. We are doing it across the world not just in Abeokuta or Ogun State alone.”

   Those that grace the occasion include His Royal Majesty Oba Dr Musiliu Kasali Olipede, Olori of Itori Oke, Egba, Oba Moruf Alani Adebayo Onitafin of Orile-Tafin. Chief Ifagbeminiyi A Baoku  Tantala  Oluwo Ifa of Egbaland, Chief Onifade Smoke , Ojubona of Egbaland, Chief Ifalola Alawode,  Chief Sunday Ojedele "Oloje of Egbaland", Chief Ifalola Okiki Agunpopo and Oluwo Ifa of Itoku.