Ifa Traditionalists Urges Tinubu To Declare National Holidays For Isese Festival

The International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR) has called on President Bola Tinubu to recognise Isese practitioners in Nigeria.

ICIR President, Fayemi Fakayode made the appeal in a communiqué issued on Wednesday, August 20, in Ibadan, Oyo State, ahead of the 2025 Isese Day celebration.

Fakayode urged President Tinubu to declare August 20 and 21 as national holidays, just as Christians and Muslims already enjoy.

“We call for national recognition from President Tinubu through the declaration of August 20th and 21st as public holidays for Isese across Nigeria,” it said.

He further urged governors of Ekiti, Ondo, Kwara, Kogi, Edo, and Delta States to follow the example of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Osun, where August 20 is already observed as Isese Day.

ICIR stressed that recognising Isese with public holidays would not only address existing religious inequalities but also promote cultural pride, unity, and national identity.

Fakayode also requested government support for cultural preservation, saying, “We also want the government to fund cultural festivals, protect shrines and sacred lands and integrate practitioners into cultural councils like it is being done for Muslims and Christians.” 

ICIR congratulated traditional worshippers across the world, thanked Southwest governors for their support, and urged the government to increase funding for cultural festivals, safeguard sacred lands, and involve Isese practitioners in national cultural councils.

The communiqué described Isese as the foundation of Yoruba and African identity, rooted in values such as honesty, respect, hard work, and reverence for nature.

It said, “Isese represents the foundation of Yoruba and African identity; it embodies morality, unity, reverence for nature and communal living.”

“Celebrating Isese safeguards our heritage, promotes pride in our culture and strengthens enduring values, such as honesty, respect and hard work.”

“Investing in cultural sites will enhance community growth and revenue,” the council emphasised, urging the government to take decisive action to support the cultural landscape of Nigeria.

KanyiDaily recalls that Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie, recently claimed that both Christianity and traditional Igbo religion worship the same God in different ways.