Culture

Isese Day: Oyo Declares August 20 Work Free Day

By Web News 279

Oyo State Government has declared Wednesday, 20 August, 2025, as a work-free day.

Secretary to the State Government, Professor Olanike Adeyemo, in a circular letter dated 18th August, 2025, indicated that the governor approved the work-free day to mark the Isese Day Celebration.

According to the circular, the governor urged all citizens in the state to use the occasion to pray for the peace, unity and stability of the state in particular and the country in general.

PR/Iyabo Adebisi

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Culture

Isese Day: Gov Abiodun Announces August 20 as Public Holiday

By Web News 313

By Adebola Ajayi

The Ogun State Government has announced August 20, as a public holiday to commemorate the annual Isese Day celebration.

The day is set aside to celebrate Yoruba religion and traditions.

A statement by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to Governor Dapọ Abiodun, Chief Kayode Akinmade indicates that the introduction of Isese Day as a public holiday reflects Governor Abiodun’s recognition of the vital role that Yoruba heritage and practices play in the state’s identity and cultural landscape.

According to the statement, “Isese Day serves as an opportunity for adherents of the Yoruba religion to honour their ancestors, engage in traditional practices, and promote the values and teachings inherent in their spiritual beliefs”.

It notes that the celebration not only fosters a sense of community among practitioners but also invites the broader society to appreciate and respect the rich cultural tapestry that the Yoruba tradition contributes to Nigeria.

It would be recalled that August 20 was formally declared a public holiday in 2023, following a motion passed by the Ogun State House of Assembly and the concurrent approval of Governor Dapo Abiodun.

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Culture

Isese Day Celebration: OYHA Commends Gov. Makinde

By Web News 584

The Oyo State House of Assembly has commended the State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde for fulfilling his promise made to traditional religious worshippers during his electioneering campaign period to grant their request for special recognition of the Isese Day celebration in the State.

The House made this assertion while reacting to Governor Makinde’s approval that henceforth, every August 20 is dedicated as a public holiday to celebrate the Isese festival in the State as contained in a statement issued by the Secretary to the government, Professor Olanike Adeyemo on behalf of the Governor yesterday.

In a statement issued by the Chairman House Committee on Information, Media, Public Affairs and ICT, Hon. Waheed Akintayo, and made available to journalists, the House expressed its happiness that the motion it approved on August 9, 2023, for approval of August 20 as ‘Isese Day’ celebration has eventually gotten the nod of the Governor.

The House recalled that following a motion moved by its House Leader, Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin which emphasized the importance of recognizing the contributions and beliefs of traditional worshippers, it approved 20th of August as already designated by several other States in the South West as a special holiday for the celebration of Isese festival.

According to the statement, “we recalled with nostalgia that during the 2023 electioneering campaign, His Excellency, Gov. Seyi Makinde had expressed his support for granting a special day to celebrate Isese festival. He had promised the Isese adherents that he would honor their proposal once it was approved by the State House of Assembly. 

With this historic decision by the Governor, Oyo State has set another example for other regions not only to celebrate and embrace their rich heritage but also to learn to foster unity and inclusivity among all religions without discrimination as being witnessed in some states in recent times.” The Statement added.

While congratulating the adherents of traditional worshippers on the celebration of this year’s Isese festival, the House called on them to use the Isese Day celebration to pray fervently for humanity, Oyo State, and prosperity in each individual’s household.

Isese Day Festival is celebrated across the globe by traditional religious adherents on the 20th of August and the day is always set aside for prayers, offering of sacrifices, and festivities.

PR/Mosope Kehinde

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Culture

OGHA Approves August 20 as Isese Day

By Web News 556

By Toyin Adegoke

Ogun State House of Assembly has passed a resolution calling for the observation of every August  20th as the annual Isese-Cultural Day and to be declared as a work free day in the State.

The passage of the resolution, followed a  debate by the State lawmakers resulting in a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Mr Yusuf Sherif and seconded by the Minority Leader, Mr Lukmon Adeleye at the plenary presided over by Speaker, Mr Olakunle Oluomo.

In their separate views  members including the Sponsor, Mr Adegoke Adeyanju, Mr Damilola Soneye, Mr Olanrewaju Bakare and Mr Waliu Owode, said the resolution was aimed at propagating the rich culture and tradition of the State, in preservation for the upcoming generations. 

Other members, Mr Ayodele Wasiu, Mr Babatunde Tella and Minority Leader, Mr Lukman Adeleye stated that the resolution would go a long way in boosting tourism and  the uniqueness of the culture and traditions of the State.

Responding,The Speaker, Mr Oluomo stressed that the passage of the resolution would give proper identity to the cultural values of the people, with a clarification that the declaration of public holiday remained the exclusive of the Federal Government.

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Culture

Aug 20 now Isese day – Abiodun

By Web News 701

By Bolanle Adesida

 Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has declared 20th August every year as a day to celebrate Isese Day in the State.

Governor Abiodun who made the declaration at an interactive session with members of the Alternate Medicine practitioners in the state held at June 12 cultural Centre, Abeokuta, said that executive order to that effect would be signed before the end of the week.

While explaining that a bill would be sent to Ogun State House of Assembly to further back up the executive order, the Governor said his administration would work out modalities on ways to regulate activities of the Alternate Medicine practitioners. 

Governor Abiodun also said that anyone found practising any form of healthcare delivery without a licence would be arrested and prosecuted.

Earlier, the Chairman, Board of Alternate Medicine, Alhaji Nurudeen Olaleye had commended the Governor for providing a conducive atmosphere for Alternate Medicine practitioners in the state.

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Religion

Adeleke Felicitates Adherents on World Isese Day

By Web News 699

The Osun State Governor-Elect, Senator Ademola Adeleke has congratulated traditional religion worshippers in the state and beyond on the occasion of this year’s Isese Day celebration, pledging the incoming administration’s commitment to religious harmony in the state.

In a congratulatory statement, Senator Adeleke said the annual festival is a celebration of the faiths in traditional religion and reminds us that the diverse faiths and religion, and tradition in Osun enriches us all.

“I honour the rich tradition that defines this celebration, and congratulates every adherent, particularly in Osun state, on this auspicious occasion,” he said in a statement, adding that “As the next Governor of Osun State, I will be committed to building an administration that respects the diversity in faiths, including continuing with the holiday to mark the celebration of Isese Day.”

Senator Adeleke enjoins traditional religion worshippers to use the occasion of the celebration to pray for peace and progress of Osun State in particular, and Nigeria as a whole while admonishing them to be modest and responsible in the cause of the celebration.

He prays for a joyous celebrations and impresses on all Osun residents to remain assured that his administration will meet their yearnings.

Funmi Adekoya 

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