No fewer than four South West States of Oyo, Osun, Lagos and Ogun have declared Tuesday August 20,2024 as world free day to mark this year’s Isese Day.
Isese means tradition and it has millions of adherents in Yoruba land.
The Secretary to the Oyo State Government,Olanike Adeyemo in a statement announced the decision of the government.
Mrs Adeyemo, quoting the State Governor, Seyi Makinde in the circular, urged all traditional worshippers and citizens to use the day to pray for the peace, unity, and stability of the state as well as the country.
In the same vein, the Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, approved Tuesday as the public holiday for Isese Day.
The commissioner for Home Affairs, Hon.Abdul-Rasheed Kayode Aderibigbe in a statement said, ” this is to inform the General Public that the Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke has declared Tuesday, 20th August, 2024 as a Public Holiday to celebrate “ISESE DAY”.”
Also, Ogun State Government has declared Tuesday, August 20th, as public holiday to celebrate this year’s Isese day, in line with Dapo Abiodun-led administration’s firm belief in religious inclusivity.
According to a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, the work-free day will allow traditional worshippers across the State to commemorate their special day.
The statement added that Ogun State remains an exemplary federating unit with enviable level of religious cohesion and harmony, even in the face of diversity.
It, therefore, urged traditional worshippers in the state to celebrate in moderation and respect the right of others religions in the course of celebration, so as to sustain the inherent culture of religious tolerance in the State.
The statement also charged the adherents to use the special festive period to pray for peace and economic advancement in Ogun State and Nigeria at large, adding that prayers contribute immensely to the success of every nation.
In Lagos, the state governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared Tuesday, 20 August, 2024 as work-free day for public servants to mark this year’s Isese Day celebration.
The announcement is contained in a circular issued by the State’s Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro.
According to the circular, the Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu had approved that Tuesday, 20th August, 2024 be declared work-free for public servants in the State.
The circular directed public servants to resume work on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 by 8.00am.
Although the United Nations had declared August 20, as World Traditional Religion (Isese) Day, this is the first time the Lagos State Government declared a public holiday for adherents to celebrate the day.
