Ifalere Odegbola, the Araba of Ibadanland and Olu Isese of Oyo State, has urged the Oyo State Government to proclaim a public holiday for traditional worshippers, as has been done in other states.
Odegbola said this in a statement on Thursday, in which he also praised human rights lawyer Mr Femi Falana (SAN) for his support for traditional worshippers’ public holidays, stating that the legal situation also demonstrates that traditionalists are demanding their rights.
“Public holiday for traditional religion worshippers is long overdue,” he added, adding that other Yorubaland states should follow Osun State’s lead in declaring a holiday for traditional religion followers.
“As traditional religion worshippers, we are hopeful that Oyo State will soon designate traditional religion worshippers a public holiday.”
Yorubaland’s other states will also follow suit.”
“I also take this opportunity to applaud the efforts of the Oyo State Chapter of the Traditional Worshippers Association of Nigeria, led by Surveyor Adefabi Dasola and his Secretary, Mogaji (Dr) Fakayode Fayemi Fatunde, in promoting Yoruba culture and tradition, as well as the State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, who has now opened the door for further dialogue between traditional religion worshippers and his government.”
