Many people had played down the fact that the government could do anything to battle not to talk of wining against the recent challenge facing the country, in insecurity. Many have even gone on to say it was high time the nation turn towards their deities and fetish-battle the insecurity. Although many still believe it is ignoring what was obviously necessary that resulted in the stage the country is at recently in and the administration lack of balance.
The Oluwo Ifa of Egba, Chief Ifagbeminiyi Baoku, who also like anybody knows what was going on in the country, stated during the 2021 ‘Isese Day’ held in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
The ‘Isese Day’ is celebrated every August 20 and was set aside as special worship day for traditional religion worshippers to celebrate their deities. The Oluwo Ifa of Egbaland, during the celebration, argued that the crisis the country was facing was due to negligence of the guidelines given by the oracle.
Baoku said all it required for Nigeria to overcome its numerous challenges was for the oracles to be consulted and sacrifices offered.
He said, “We have solutions to the problem facing the country. All we need to do is to consult the oracle and make necessary sacrifices.
“Government has been sidelining us; they don’t know we are the one that can help in solving the problems.
“Traditional religion is rooted in some guidelines that if you follow them diligently, we will not be facing problem we are facing.”
The Oluwo Ifa, on the other hand, has petitioned Governor Dapo Abiodun to make August 20 a public holiday in order to carry out ‘rituals’ in honor of ‘Isese Day.’
While pleading with the governor to prioritize oracle worship in the state, Baoku stated that worshiping Ifa was not bad.
Ifaniaki Amosun, Chairman of the Isese Parapo Egba, also stated that the event was intended to bring traditionalists together.
He added, “All governmental portfolio in the country have been voted for by all the religions in the country but, after they have been voted for, they start discriminating one religion from the others.
“Every year, the governor selects a particular day to go and worship with the Christians and also a day to worship with the Muslims, Why are we always exempted from this?
“There should also be a day selected to worship with us, the traditionalists as well. We want our government to look into this as well as the Minister of Culture to help us on this.”
Those present at the celebration included the Baba Isese of Egbaland, Prof. Ayinde Salami; the Ojubono of Egbaland, Chief Onifade Ogundele and some traditional rulers in the state.
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