Traditional worshipers in Ondo State have called on government to accord them the same recognition as Christians and Muslims in the country.
The Araba Isese of Ondo State, Folorunsho Adetunji, stated this while speaking at this year’s Isese day on Tuesday in Akure.
The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that Isese Day is celebrated by traditional worshipers in Yorubaland on Aug. 20.
The celebration had the traditional worshippers converging at the Adegbemile Cultural Centre, from where they move in procession around Akure town.
Adetunji said traditionalists had made several pleas to Ondo State Government on the need to declare public holiday for the World Isese Day celebration.
He said the holiday would afford them to gather and get closer to their creator to appease and pray for humanity, Nigeria, and their different households.
Adetunji, who said traditional worshippers also have critical roles to play in the development of the state and country, advocated for oath taking in the traditional way by political office holders on assumption of office to curb corruption.
“Isese day is the celebration of origin and showcasing the doings of our ancestors in the early period, as related to our culture, custom, which are all summed up under Isese celebration.
“We want to plead with government of Ondo State to grant the state traditionalists a public holiday and a sense of belonging.
“This is to show us that we are not side-lined, and to communicate to us that the government is fair.
“Isese day celebration cuts across all traditional lines. The practice of Isese involves communication with ancestors and other spirits through prayer, offerings, and divination to help proffer solution to the challenges confronting the country”, he said.
He said that Isese day should be seen as a day to celebrate Yoruba traditions, culture, customs and spirituality.
Also speaking, Araba Awo of Okeagbe, Ayobami Ogedengbe, said the current hardship in the country was as a result of lack of truthful leadership.
“The hardship in the country is as a result of lack of truth, and if we did not address the issue of dishonesty, there is no way the country can move forward”, he stated.
