Kunle Adelabu, Mariam Akinloye & Joy Fasunn
-As Igbogbo, Ipakodo, Isiwu other parts of Ikorodu observe Isese Day
The First Vice Chairman, Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs and the Ayngbure of Ikorodu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, (Oba) Engr. Kabir Adewale Shotobi, the Adegurusen V, has charged traditional practitioners on the need to adhere strictly to laws on the land in all that they do and not flout it.
Oba Shotobi assured that the Lagos State Government, which recognized the importance of culture and tradition and granted a day for the celebration of Isese Day, will do more.
The Ayangbure of Ikorodu made the appeal at the 2024 Isese Day celebration in Ikorodu, on Tuesday, attended by large number of traditional practitioners, cultural groups, tourists and residents.
The celebration took place at the Ayangbure palace. There were also celebrations at the Adeboruwa palace in Igbogbo, Sekumade palace in Ipakodo and Eweye palace in Isiwu and other parts of Ikorodu Division, in commemoration of this year’s lsese Day.
Different traditional groups that participated at various palaces prayed for unity, social harmony, peace and economic prosperity in the their various communities, councils, state and Nigeria.
Osugbo, Eluke, Agemo, Igunuko, Asa, Awopa and Babalawos among others participated in the celebration in Ikorodu, while in Igbogbo, Ologun-Ashogun, Eleluku, Awo -Opa, Osugbo, Babalawo, Alageomo felewa -Ajefote -Moro- Lire, Alabosan, Meri ipara, Olu -Sido, Olorisha -Obaluwaye Igbe, Oshunde Milade, Oniyewa, Aborigin, Onisegun -Eweje, Ewedola, Songbejo, Alayija, Olorisha -Aje, Elegun and Onigunuko took part in the annual celebration.
“We are celebrating the Isese Day which is all over the world, and Ikorodu believes in tradition, culture and heritage which we are always protecting, and that is why we are celebrating it today. As you can see, a large crowd of all the traditional groups from everywhere are called here to celebrate with us.
“I will continue to support them, I will continue to give them the necessary attention, because the Lagos State Government has recongnised them and that is why they gave us free day today. So, I want to thank our Governor, Mr Babajide Sonwo -Olu, for recognising that Lagos is a traditional state.
“My message to traditional practitioners is for them to abide with the rules and regulations of Lagos State. We have made our feelings known to the government, and they have given us the holiday, so, let us be patient with the government.
“They will do more for us. They are going to recognise us more. They are going to take active participation in celebrating today and so shall it be”, Oba Shotobi said.
In Igbogbo Kingdom, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, His Royal Majesty (Oba) Barr, Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, Emugoriade I, in his royal remarks at the celebration, prayed for peace, unity and progress in Igbogbo, Ikorodu Division, Lagos Sate and the country as a whole.
Adeboruwa also prayed for the economic prosperity of lgbogbo, while he appealed to the people that things will turnout better.
Chief Oyebola Mayegun, the Mayegun of lsese, who was a guest of the Ayangbure of Ikorodu at the lsese Day celebration, emphasized the importance of tradition.
He thanked the governor of Lagos State, for the recognition accorded the tradition with the declaration of an holiday for its celebration.
“Isese is truly in existence and must not be erased. This is what our ancestors have been doing before we joined them and they bequeathed it on us. You can see that our people have embraced it.
“Any person born as Yoruba, must embrace Isese, anyone that does not, has lost his way and home. As the Mayegun of Isese, l feel so happy that people of Ikorodu, are embracing our tradition and culture globally.
“I feel so happy that our people have not abandoned our Isese. Although, it was something disturbing before but things have changed now.
“Isese is all over the world, and as we are speaking, they are celebrating Isese in Brazil, America and other places.
“We thank our Governor Sanwo -Olu for doing this for us, and people all over the world are appreciative of him”, he said.
Dr. Abimbola Ayinde, a lecturer from the Lagos State University (LASU), speaking at the celebration, said that the recongnition and granting of an holiday for the Isese day is bringing balance and equity into religious practice since Christians and Muslims have different holidays that they celebrate their faiths.
He enjoined that Isese must not be underrated, because of its importance and value to human existence.
He traced the challenge confronting tradition and culture back to the acceptance of foreign religious and culture by African ancestors, thereby, losing their own identity.
The lecturer charged Africans not to lose their sense of identity which he said are their traditions and culture for foreign religion.
The Odofin of Igbogbo, High Chief Tajudeen Alade Onasanya, who led the Adebruwa – in – Council to the celebration, also speaking with our reporters, commended the way and manner people have embraced and sustained traditions and culture.
While thanking the government for the holiday earmarked for the lsese Day, Odofin also called for more support for the tradition and culture, while also urging people to support the government.
