Yoruba Council Urges FG To Establish National Traditional Religion Commission

The Yoruba Council Worldwide has called on the Federal Government to establish a National Traditional Religion Commission just like the Hajj Commission and Christian Pilgrims Commission.

The president of the Council, Oladotun Hassan stated this in Abuja on Tuesday during the celebration of the 2024 Isese Day.

Hassan also called for the introduction of an African Traditional Religion in the curriculum of primary and secondary schools across the country.

Hassan also spoke of the need for the government to nationalise August 20 as a National Traditional Heritage Holiday.

“It is known that African traditional religion is the foremost human practice on earth, however, we are mindful of the heterogeneous state of affairs with diverse cultures and religions, hence the need to collaborate together to use our culture and traditions to add value to nation building.

“Peace is paramount in the development of a nation, hence we call for you to talk on the need to live in peace and harmony as citizens in Nigeria; amongst all citizens irrespective of race, party and religious affinities.

“We are bold enough to use this medium to urgently request and need to raise to the Federal Ministry of Justice and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu the urgent need to nationalize August 20 as a National Traditional Heritage Holiday and grant National Traditional Religion Commission just like Hajj Commission and Christian Pilgrims Commission.

“The need for deliberate Advocacy on the need to educate our children based on the declined Omoluabi ethos in our society. The need to introduce African Traditional Religious Studies in our education curriculum in all primary and secondary schools in Nigeria,” he said.

Four states in the South West such as Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Osun declared August 20 as a work-free day for the Isese festival.

This is following a clamour by traditional religious worshippers in southwest states for a day to be set aside as a regional public holiday for the Isese Day celebration.

The day is reserved for traditional worshipers to celebrate their deities and is observed as the culmination of a week of traditional religious activities and festivities.

It usually involves display of culture and spirituality with parties, festivals, parades, lectures and display of other traditional apparels to attract tourists from other parts of the world.