Traditional religion worshippers in Osun State have demanded a two-day public holiday from the state government to celebrate this year’s Isese Day.
The president of the Osun State chapter of the Traditional Religion Worshippers Association, Idowu Awopetu, called on the Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, to demonstrate his commitment to the promotion of peaceful co-existence and equal rights for all religions in the state.
They demanded for Tuesday and Wednesday next week to be declared as public holidays in the state.
Awopetu, who commended the governor for his outstanding performance, declared the association’s support for a second term for Governor Aregbesola, stating that the deities have declared “no vacancy in Oke-Fia Government House and Abere, the State Secretariat”.
He urged the governor to ensure the smooth take off of the introduction of the study of Ifa religion in public primary and secondary schools.
Awopetu called for the institutionalising of the taking of oath of office by using traditional instruments such as Ogun and Sango instead of the Holy Bible or Quran, adding that “they are more efficacious and dreaded by the people”.
“When this is introduced, corruption will be checked because the gods would act spontaneously,” he said.
He also called the Federal Government to involve the traditionalists in fighting the Boko Haram.