…….Seeks Peace Between Ooni and Alaafin
……Wants Ekiti, Ondo, Kwara, Others Emulate Lagos, Oyo on Isese Day Holiday
Ibadan – The International Council For Ifa Religion (ICIR), has called on President Bola Tinubu to give equal recognition to Isese adherents in Nigeria like their Muslim and Christian counterparts, by declaring August 20th and 21st as Public Holidays.
The Council also called on Governors of Ekiti, Ondo, Kwara, Kogi, Edo and Delta States to emulate their colleagues from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Osun State, by declaring every 20th of August as Isese holiday in their respective States.
In a communique signed by the President of ICIR, Dr. Fayemi Fatunde Fakayode and made available to newsmen on Tuesday evening in commemoration of the 2025 Isese Day celebration, ICIR hinted that the Presidency should rise above the present state of inequality among the three major religions in Nigeria by giving due recognition to Isese practitioners through the declaration of public holiday.
While congratulating Isese adherents all over the world and appreciating the South-West governors that have declared every 20th of August as Isese Day holiday, the body demanded that the Federal Government should fund cultural festivals, protect shrines and sacred lands and integrate practitioners into national cultural councils.
The communique also stated the need for the national government to invest in cultural sites nationwide to boost revenue and community growth.
“We call for national recognition from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through the declaration of August 20th and 21st as public holidays for Isese across Nigeria. We also want the government to fund cultural festivals, protect shrines and sacred lands and integrate practitioners into cultural councils like it is being done for Muslims and Christians.
“While commending the South-West States for declaring Isese Day a holiday, we urge Ekiti, Ondo, Kwara, Kogi, Edo and Delta to emulate this example, thereby ensuring cultural harmony and strengthening regional unity.
“Isese represents the foundation of Yoruba and African identity; it embodies morality, unity, reverence for nature and communal living. Celebrating Isese safeguards our heritage, promotes pride in our culture and strengthens enduring values, such as honesty, respect and hard work.”
ICIR called on the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Eniitan Ogunwusi and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade to sheat their swords over the ongoing seniority contest between the duo, pleading for harmony, which they claimed would fast-track development in the Yoruba kingdom.
“As we mark this year’s Ìsẹ̀ṣe Festival, we extend our warmest felicitations to our revered Traditional Rulers. May they be endowed with robust health and longevity. We express our deepest gratitude to those monarchs who have remained unwavering custodians of our cultural traditions and respectfully advise those who have embraced foreign cultures to reconnect with their heritage. To propel our land towards development, progress, and unity, we enjoin our Traditional Rulers to foster a spirit of collaboration and mutual understanding. Our special appeal goes to Imperial Majesties Alayeluwa Ọba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Oonirisa, and Alayeluwa Oba Abimbola Owoade, the Alaafin of Oyo, to continue their noble endeavors in harmony for the betterment of our people,” they prayed.
Signed:
Fayemi Fatunde Fakayode, P.hd,
President, International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR), Oke-Itase, Ile Ife.
Ayanladun Fajemisin Awoyemi,
Public Relations Officer, ICIR,
Wednesday, August 20th, 2025.
