Islam and Christianity have theirs, we too want Public Holiday,Monarch wants Aug. 20 declared traditional festival day

A Traditional Ruler, Oba Kamila Isiba, has urged the Federal Government to declare Aug. 20 annually traditional festival day to give a sense of belonging to traditional worshipers.



Isiba, the Olu of Agege in Lagos State, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos that traditional worshippers deserved holiday in their honour since Muslims and Christians enjoyed same. 

The monarch noted that Osun had started observing the day, but said that there was the need for nationwide recognition.


 According to him, the festival will showcase indigenous tradition and culture and preserve.  “We will continue calling on the government to declare Aug. 20 traditional day.


 “The idea behind the festival is for us to showcase our tradition and culture. If there is no traditional day, how will our children know about our culture and preserve our heritage?” he asked. Isiba also expressed dissatisfaction at the alleged denial of some traditional rulers the opportunities to perform their statutory roles. 

The royal father alleged that the denial was being made by some politicians.



 “If traditional rulers are allowed to play their roles well, you won’t see miscreants in our communities because we have a way of dealing with them, but when a traditional ruler does such in Nigeria of today, they will say you have committed an offence. That is why we are careful,” he told NAN.





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