The Lagos State government has declared Tuesday, August 20 a work-free day to commemorate the Isese Day celebration, News About Nigeria reports.
In a post on X — formerly Twitter — on Monday, Gboyega Akosile, chief press secretary to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, said the announcement was made in a circular issued by Bode Agoro, the state’s head of service.
He said the decision reaffirmed the governor’s “commitment to continue to provide the necessary support to traditional institutions in the state with a view to promoting our indigenous culture and tradition while preserving our heritage.”
According to the circular, “It is hereby notified for general information that this Year’s Isese Day Celebration will hold on Tuesday, 20th August 2024.
“In emphasising commitment to give necessary support to traditional institutions, as well as enhance the promotion of indigenous tradition by preserving cultural heritage, Mr. Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has approved that Tuesday, 20th August, 2024, be declared a work-free day for Public Servants in the State.”
Akosile added that public workers in the state are billed to resume by 8 am on Wednesday.
The announcement comes a few hours after the Ogun government had also declared Tuesday a work-free day in the state to mark the festival.
Kayode Akinmade, special adviser on media and strategy, announced that Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun, has approved the holiday.
The Isese festival, marked annually on August 20, is celebrated by adherents of the Yoruba traditional religion.
The day is commemorated by several processions and worships of the multitude of gods that make up the Yoruba traditional religion, pantheon.
In 2023, the festival led to controversy in Ilorin, Kwara. Traditional religion practitioners were stopped from celebrating the festival in the state after an Islamic group warned a priestess against holding the celebration.
Sulu Gambari, the emir of Ilorin, had said the festival was cancelled “to prevent crisis.”
