The Ogun State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, passed a resolution, declaring August 20 as Isese Cultural Day in the state.

The Assembly, at the plenary presided over by the Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo, immediately after their resumption from a two-week recess, passed the resolution, titled “H.R. No.008/OG/2023: Observation of Isese Day as Work-Free Day in Ogun State.”

The Assembly called for the observation of every August 20 as the annual Isese Cultural Day, adding that it should be declared a work-free day in the state.

The Majority Leader, Yusuf Sheriff, moved the motion, which was seconded by the Minority Leader, Lukmon Adeleye.

Most of the lawmakers, during the debate on the motion, said the resolution was aimed at propagating the rich culture and traditions of Ogun State, thereby preserving them for the upcoming generations.

They also stated that the resolution would go a long way in boosting tourism and the uniqueness of the culture and traditions of the state.

In his response, the Speaker lauded his fellow lawmakers for their contributions that led to the passage of the resolution.

He said the resolution “would give proper identity to the cultural values of the people, with a clarification that the declaration of public holidays remained exclusive to the Federal Government; thus the proposed work-free day.”

Meanwhile, a Yoruba traditional group, Isese Welfare Association, also known as Isese Assembly, has condemned the actions of what they called “fanatical Muslims” in Ilorin, Kwara State, which led to the cancellation of an Isese festival scheduled from July 22 to 24.

The group, in a statement, alleged that “some fanatical Muslims in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, seriously threatened and intimidated an Onisese in the person of Yeye Ajesikemi Olokun (Omolara Oladipo).”

The Isese Assembly said the alleged “serious threat” to Yeye Olokun’s life and “supposed security reasons, based on the stern warning and advice of the police,” led to the cancellation of the festival, which “was scheduled to take place along Secondary School Road, Oke Andi, Ilorin, Kwara State, between 22nd and 24th of July, 2023.”

The group asked, “Is Ilorin no more a Yoruba community or no more part of Yorubaland?

“Is Ilorin now solely a Muslim community? Do people still have the rights under the Nigerian Constitution to practise whatever religion they subscribe to?

“What does peace mean to these sets of fanatical Muslims in Ilorin?”

The statement, signed by the group’s Coordinator, Ifaoleepin Aderemi, and Secretary-General, Ifagbenusola Popoola described as “unethical, unlawful and a gross act of misconduct against the right of freedom of worship” the actions of the Muslims which led to the cancellation of the festival.

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