Traditionalists in Ondo State have advocated that the practice of oath taking by politicians be embraced as a means to curb corruption, abuse of power, and others, News About Nigeria reports.
The Araba Isese of Ondo State, Araba Folorunsho Adetunji, stated this while speaking in Akure, the State Capital, during the celebration of lsese Day.
They also appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to set aside August 20 of every year as a holiday to mark the festival like his counterparts in the South West States.
Adetunji said the holiday would allow the Isese adherents to come together as an avenue to get closer to their creator and pray for humanity, Nigeria, Ondo State and their different households to prosper.
He stated, “Isese day is the celebration of origin and showcasing the doings of our ancestors in the early period, our culture, custom are all summed up under Isese celebration.
“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 solutions to the challenges confronting the country.
“We want to plead with the government of Ondo state to grant the Ondo state traditionalists a public holiday and to give the traditionalists a sense of belonging.
“This is to show us that we are not sidelined and communicate to us that the government is fair.”
He stated that traditionalists should be accorded the same respect like other religion, saying the traditional worshippers also have a critical role to play in the development of the state and country.
Adetunji further noted that apart from this, Isese day should be seen as a day to celebrate Yoruba traditions, culture, customs and spirituality saying the celebration also include, parades, lectures and the display of other traditional apparel to attract tourists from other parts of the world.
