Isese Day: Traditionalists Urge Tinubu To Declare August 20, 21 As Public Holidays

A plea has gone to President Bola Tinubu by the International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR) to accord equal recognition to traditional worshippers in Nigeria by declaring August 20 and 21 as public holidays.

President of the Council, Fayemi Fakayode, made the call on Wednesday through a statement issued in Ibadan, Oyo State, to celebrate the 2025 Isese Day.

Fakayode, who commended the governors of Oyo, Ogun, Lagos and Osun States for declaring the Isese Day in their states, also urged governors of Ekiti, Ondo, Kwara, Kogi, Edo and Delta states to emulate their South-West counterparts.

“We call for national recognition from President 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.”

Fakayode appealed to the federal government to end what he called the present state of inequality among the three major religions in the country by granting due recognition to Isese practitioners through a national holiday.

He further called on the Federal Government to invest in cultural sites across the country to boost revenue and community development.

Speaking on the essence of the celebration, Fakayode stressed that, “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.”