NAN-H-145
Calendar
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Feb. 23, 2017 (NAN) A group, Oyo State Traditional Religious Worshippers’ Association, has called on the state government to set aside some special days for the celebration of traditional festivals.
Mr Fayemi Fakayode, the State Secretary of the association, made the call while speaking with newsmen on Thursday after its stakeholders meeting at the Osemeji shrine, Oja’ba, Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was combined with a special prayer for the country and President Muhammadu Buhari.
He stated that the special days were those that combined all traditional worshippers, irrespective of the deities involved .
“We want government to set aside Aug. 20 every year for the ‘Isese’ festival and May 15 for ‘ELA’ festival.
“We also demand that every Friday that precedes the first Saturday in June be set aside annually for the commemoration of our annual pilgrimage to Ile-Ife,” he said.
Fakayode said that the motion passed by the Oyo State House of Assembly on the inclusion of traditional festivals on the state’s festive calendar was timely and a welcome development.
He said the Osun government had been observing the Aug. 20 holiday for ‘Isese’ festival in the last four years , urging the Oyo State Government to replicate this in the state.
Fakayode commended state assembly members for giving consideration to traditional worshippers in the state.
“Our religion is a grassroots one and the first in the world. We are their fathers and government respects the Yoruba tradition and culture.
“We want some days set aside for the celebration. We want dates that will bring all of us together irrespective of our denominations,’’ he said.
NAN recalls that majority of the members of the House of Assembly at a Yoruba plenary on Feb. 8 had supported the motion for a special day for the celebration of traditional religion in the state.
Hon .Gbenga Oyekola (LP -Atiba) and Safiu Olalere (APC- Ido) had moved the motion, calling for a special day for the celebration of Yoruba traditional religion.
The duo had advocated the need to recognise traditional religion as entrenched in the Nigerian constitution, observing that traditional religion had long existed before the advent of Christianity and Islam.
The duo stated that the Nigerian constitution made adequate provision for the freedom of religion.
But Segun Ajanaku, Joshua Oyebamiji, John Olaleru, Oyeleke Oyatokun and Michael Sangodipe, all held that the motion presented before the House fell under the Federal Government’s jurisdiction.
They said that there would be no universality in any date picked by the adherents of different traditional religions in Yoruba land if considered.
Ajanaku in particular had said the movers of the motion should have looked inward to come up with a motion that would advocate the national observance of Yoruba cultural heritage by the Federal Government.
He added that this would encapsulate other traditional issues that fell within the purview.
NAN reports that the motion was, however , put into voice vote after deliberations and was supported by majority of the lawmakers. (NAN)
TAA/DO/OJO
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(Edited by David Onilede/Mufutau Ojo)