The Ayangbure of Ikorodu Kingdom, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi fostered the Association of African Traditional Religion Practitioners, Ikorodu Chapter (AATREN) on their Isese day celebration.
Incorporating all chiefs, Baale’s, Eluku, Agemo, Igunuko, Awopa, Egungun, osoyin, Babalawo and other traditional institutions in the waterbed region, HRM, Oba Adewale shotobi was ushered into the celebration at his palace on the 20th of August 2023.
The day was set aside by the Lagos State Government for traditionalists to celebrate, which made the government also declare Monday, 21st of August as work free day for public servants.
According to Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, Isese Day is a festival celebrated in the whole of the southwest.
He acknowledged Lagos State, Oyo State, Ogun State and Ekiti State for simultaneously granting Isese Day as a public holiday in their states.
In an interview with Ikorodu News Network (INN), the king explained: “As a king, we’re the custodian of culture and heritage”.
“Isese is the first religion when it comes to religion and we have many believers in Isese that are doing well, we are all calling the same god we just worship in different ways”.
“I also want to urge the Government to support the traditional religion the same way they support Muslims and Christians during their respective festivities” Oba Shotobi asserted.
The chairman of AATREN, Chief Kareem Ore (the Apena of Ikorodu kingdom), on his path, expressed his excitement about the public holiday that Lagos state has approved for the Isese, urging the Government not to remove the holiday subsequently.
He also recognizes the god of his father for recovering his health saying; “I was once a Christian for 22 years, I do take holy communion but still fall sick”.
“But since I became the Apena of Ikorodu Kingdom I have never experienced sickness again”.
“HRM, Oba Kabiru Shotobi should also be appreciated for his support towards Isese Day every year which has been a joyful thing for us in AATREN Ikorodu Chapter” Chief Kareem said.
In his statement, the Chairman of Ikorodu Oga Development Association (IKODASS) Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo said Isese is also called tradition which has been the foundation of the 3rd largest city in southwest Nigeria before other religions.
Erogbogbo illustrated that the government acknowledging Isese Day by declaring it a public holiday is a privileged aspect because other religions have their holidays, thus making the society organized.
“This is a laudable step by the government because the tradition of people is important based on the origin of the land we found ourselves”.
Otunba Lekan Ajerotutu, who represented the President of the Traditional Rulers, Ifa Segun Elegushi honoured HRM, Oba Kabiru Shotobi for his sacrifice towards the Association leading to the celebration.
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