- ICIR Urges Tinubu to Declare August 20 and 21 National Holidays for Isese Day
- Fakayode urged governors of Ekiti, Ondo, Kwara, Kogi, Edo and Delta states to officially recognise every August 20 as Isese holiday
- He urged the Federal Government to invest in cultural sites across the country
In commemoration of the 2025 Isese Day celebration, the International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR) on Wednesday called on President Bola Tinubu to give equal recognition to Isese adherents in Nigeria by declaring August 20 and 21 as public holidays.
The council’s President, Fayemi Fakayode, made this appeal in a statement issued in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Eko Hot Blog had earlier reported that the governments of Oyo, Lagos, Ogun and Osun states declared Wednesday a work-free day in honour of this year’s Isese Day.
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Fakayode, however, urged the governors of Ekiti, Ondo, Kwara, Kogi, Edo and Delta states to emulate their South West counterparts by officially recognising every August 20 as Isese holiday.
While congratulating adherents across the world, the ICIR president commended the South West governors for supporting the celebration.
He also appealed to the Presidency to end what he described as the present state of inequality among the three major religions in the country by granting national recognition to Isese practitioners through a public holiday.
He further urged the Federal Government to invest in cultural sites across the country as a means of boosting revenue and fostering community development.
According to him, “We call for national recognition from President Tinubu through the declaration of August 20 and 21 as public holidays for Isese across Nigeria.
“We also want the government to fund cultural festivals, protect shrines and sacred lands, and integrate practitioners into cultural councils just as it is being done for Muslims and Christians.
“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,” he added.
