Traditional
religion worshippers in Osun State yesterday demanded a two-day public holidays
from the state government to commemorate this year’s Isese Day.
At a press
conference, the president of the Osun State chapter of the Traditional Religion
Worshippers Association, Chief Awopetu Idowu, said for Governor Rauf Aregbesola
to demonstrate his commitment to the promotion of peaceful co-existence and
equal right for all religions in the state, he should oblige them Tuesday and
Wednesday next week as public holidays in the state.
Awopetu, who
commended the state government for its 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 said: “We have
watched closely the numerous achievements of Mr Governor since assuming the
mantle of leadership and publicly declared our unflinching support for his
re-election in 2014. I wish, therefore, to reaffirm our endorsement and to let
the world know that the deities have declared that there is no vacancy in
Oke-Fia and Abere until 2018.”
While welcoming
the move of the state government to introduce the study of Ifa religion in
public primary and secondary schools, Awopetu appealed to the government to
ensure the smooth take-off of the initiative.
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”.
He insisted that
when this is introduced, corruption will be checked because the gods would act
spontaneously.
He urged the
federal government to invite the traditionalists to deal decisively with the
Boko Haram sect, saying “insurgency is more of politics than religion”.
Source: Leadership
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