The Oyo State House of Assembly has approved a motion seeking to grant the state traditional worshippers an annual public holiday for celebration tagged Cultural Day- “Isese day”
This was made during its plenary on Wednesday presided over by its speaker,Adebo Ogundoyin.
The motion moved by the majority leader and a member representing Ogbomosho South, Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin and seconded by a member representing South west I and deputy chief whip, Hon. Yusuf Adebisi.
The sponsor of the motion maintained that it is high time the state gave room for religious tolerance and equality, noting the motion would help to accommodate the traditional worshippers formally in the state while a member representing Atiba and Chief Whip, Hon. Gbenga Oyekola believes Isese Day might engender tourism on cultural artworks and artefacts exhibition which could equally widen the revenue generation net of the state.
In his reaction, a lawmaker representing, Ido State Constituency, Hon. Rasaq Mabaje stated approval of the Celebratory Day would give respect to the traditional worshippers, called the state to adopt inclusion of swearing-in to oath of allegiance traditionally now that the constitution of the state would maintain formality of the traditional worshippers alongside their rights, values and ethics.
” All that we have been discussing all day, you will observe that the motion is a good one and as we can see, traditional religion originated from Ido.
” Remember, the leader of the tradition worshippers is from Ido. He prayed for Seyi Makinde’s second term inauguration and for the ongoing 10th Assembly”
“Now that the motion has been accepted and adopted, then it will be more ideal at any swearing-in event for public office holders, we should be made to swear to gods either Of metallurgy(Ogun), Womb(Oya) among others, we should make this official at the approval of this Celebration in the state”, Mabaje said.
However, the House proposed and approved every 20th August of the year, as “Isese Day” across the State.