As a of show solidarity to an ancient festival of the Yoruba people of South West Nigeria, three states, Lagos, Ogun and Osun have announced Monday as Isese festival day.
They also declared the day as work free to enable their people observe and celebrate the festival.
It would recalled that recently, conflict arose in Ilorin Kwara state following a ban on Isese Day by some Muslim faithful who branded the festival as fetish.
While Babatunde Sanwo Olu made the announcement for Lagos, his counterparts Dapo Abiodun and Ademola Adeleke announced Monday as Isese Day for Ogun and Osun states respectively.
In a circular issued by the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola, this year’s Isese Day celebration would hold on Sunday.
Muri-Okunola said that the declaration of work-free day by Sanwo-Olu was a reaffirmation of his commitment to continue to provide necessary support to traditional institutions in the state.
”This is with a view to promoting our indigenous culture and tradition while preserving our heritage,” he said.
According to him, the state workers are to resume work on Tuesday.