Araba Of Ota Lauds Gov. Dapo Abiodun's Assent To 'Iseese Day'

Araba Of Ota Lauds Gov. Dapo Abiodun's Assent To 'Iseese Day'

The Chairman, League of Traditional Practitioners in Ota, Dr  Fashola Faniyi has commended the Ogun State Governor, His Excellency, Dapo Abiodun (MFR) for recognising August 20th as"Iseese Day" in Ogun State.

The Araba of Ota, Dr. Fashola Faniyi made the commendation in an interview with the press men  in his office in Ota saying  the pronouncement is a welcome development to free practices of religion to foster growth and development throughout the nooks and crannies of Ogun State.

He added that  Governor Dapo Abiodun in his pragmatic approach has done what will remain indelible in the lives of traditionalists in Ogun State.

“We have long yearned for every 20th of August to be set aside for our annual Isese festival, we have written series of letters and press releases to the powers that be, but all were to no avail. We the traditionalists in Ogun State ought to have gotten a day set aside for us since time immemorial but we are appreciating Prince Dapo Abiodun for taking the bold step of doing what his predecessors could not do for us despite all pleas”,  Dr Faniyi said.

Appreciating the  co- sponsors of the bill in Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Adegoke Adeyanju Awoso, representing Yewa North State Constituency 1, and Majority Leader, Hon. Sheriff Yusuf (a.k.a Ibeman), representing Constituency 1 in Ado-Odo/Ota LG,  on behalf of all the traditional Practitioners in Ota in particular and Ogun State in general, Araba of Ota,  Dr. Faniyi Fasola said the present administration has recorded tremendous achievements in the first tenure believing more successes that superseed in this second tenure.

"History will not forget the roles played by all members of the House at ensuring that traditional Practitioners get their own recognition in the state",  Fashola added.

Recall that Ogun state House of Assembly on Tuesday, at the plenary presided over by the  Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo, passed the resolution, titled “H.R. No.008/OG/2023-Observtation of Isese Day as Work-Free Day in Ogun State”.

The lawmakers, led by the Majority leader of the House, Hon. Sheriff Yusuf (Ibeman), moved the motion on the floor of the Assembly and was supported by Hon. Adeleye; for the observation of every 20th of August as the annual Isese-Cultural Day to be declared as a work-free day in the state stressing that ‘the resolution would go a long way in boosting tourism and the uniqueness of the culture and traditions of the state’.

It was gathered that in line with the state government’s pronouncement of 20th August as public holiday, plans are in top gear to mark this year’s festival on the 20th of August at Ita Yard, Ota.

Oluwo Fasola, while enjoining all other state Governors in South West to borrow leaf from their Ogun and Osun State counterparts, invites all and sundry to join in the celebration of this year’s "Iseese"festival as it promises to further showcase ‘our cultural as well as traditional inheritance' calling on corporate sponsors and individuals to reach out as to make the event a remarkable one in Ogun State history.