By Adeyinka Adeniran
Oyo State Acting Governor, Bayo Lawal, has assured that the administration of Governor ‘Seyi Makinde will continue to promote and support cultural and traditional heritages in the state.
He stated this on Tuesday, at the grand finale of the 2024 Isese Festival with the theme “Isese Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,” held at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan.
The Acting Governor, who hailed the festival as colourful for its rich entertainment content, said the Isese Festival was a testament to how the Governor Makinde administration has been promoting religious harmony in the state since he assumed office in 2019.
He added that apart from the development of Agribusiness, an area in which the state has a comparative advantage, the state government has also been working hard to develop culture and tourism to attract more investors and thereby expand the economy of the state.
The Acting Governor equally commended the devotees of traditional religion for upholding the cultural heritage by promoting, publicising and preserving tradition, arts, heritage and beliefs through hosting of cultural tourism festivals across the geopolitical zones of the state.
Commending the traditional worshippers for their peaceful coexistence and tolerance with people of other beliefs in the state, Lawal charged them to support government’s effort towards ensuring security of lives and properties in the state.
He said: “This journey started in 2019 but we thank God that it has manifested this year.
“This month is the recognised month in the Isese Calendar. Some of the six states in Yorubaland are observing the Isese Day today and they have declared a public holiday for Isese Day.
“We appreciate our people for their cooperation with the Oyo State Government. During our campaign in 2023, the governor promised that if he was re-elected, he would declare a public holiday to commemorate the Isese Day. Today, we are all happy that the promise has come to fruition.
“In Oyo State, we asked for the cooperation of all religious leaders including Christians, Muslims and the Isese faithful and we are happy as a government that we can see that you are all identifying with this government.
“Isese Day is not for tradition alone but for culture, entertainment and other features. Another thing that makes it meaningful is the fact that through its cultural tourism angle, it can help to increase our IGR.
“So, we are not just engaging in tradition for nothing sake but for the fact that it is contributing to boost the economy of the state.
“Since this government started, you would realise that we have not been joking with tourism. An example is how we are promoting Iyake Lake at Ado Awaye, Bower’s Tower in Ibadan and other tourist destinations in the state. All of these are in a bid to make sure that our culture and tradition in Yorubaland don’t go down the drain.
“Today is the grand finale of a week-long Isese Festival and I believe sincerely that all of us would have one thing or the other to take back home. As a government, we will continue to promote our culture and tradition as well as preserve our heritage.
“Under Omituntun 2.0, we believe tourism must be developed to boost our IGR and we have been doing this.
“I want to use this opportunity to assure us that we will continue to be tolerant with all the religions in Oyo State as we also believe our culture is our heritage.
“Let me also say that freedom of religion is enshrined in the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria and you have to practise your religion unfettered. Feel free to practise your religion in our secure environment.
“In all the zones we have in the state, we have spread the tentacles of security and everywhere is safe for everyone, because we know it is our primary duty as a government to provide adequate security. And we will continue in that trajectory.”
In his address, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun, said the celebration of Isese Day started in the state in 2023 and that it was celebrated across all the geopolitical zones of the state.
He charged the Isese adherents to support the government and continue to stand for unity and harmony among themselves and other residents.
Earlier in their welcome addresses, the Aare Isese of Oyo State, Aare Omikunmi Egbelade and Araba/Olu Isese of Ibadanland, His Eminence Araba Ifalere Odegbola II, appreciated Governor Makinde for his unwavering support and steadfast commitment to upholding culture and tradition.
They praised the governor for declaring every August 20th as a work-free day in honour of Isese Day, adding that the governor has not only acknowledged the importance of their faith but has reinforced the spirit of unity and respect among the diverse religious and cultural communities.
The event had in attendance the Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon Fola Oyekunle; Commissioners and other top government functionaries.
