Martins Owoseni
Ibadan – Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State in South-West Nigeria, has declared August 20 a work-free day to mark 2024 Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day.
Mr Makinde’s Special Adviser (Media), Sulaimon Olanrewaju, in a statement issued on Wednesday, said the declaration of the work-free day by Makinde was contained in a circular issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Olanike Adeyemo.
Last year, Governor Makinde stated that every August 20 would be observed as a work-free day in the state in commemoration of Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day.
The governor, in the circular, enjoined all traditional worshippers and all citizens to use the day to pray for the peace, unity and stability of the state in particular and the country in general.
Ìṣẹ̀ṣe comprises the traditional religious and spiritual concepts and practice of the Yoruba people. Its homeland is in present-day Southwestern Nigeria, which comprises the majority of Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Kwara and Lagos states, as well as parts of Kogi state and the adjoining parts of Benin and Togo, commonly known as Yorubaland (Ilẹ̀ Káàárọ̀-Oòjíire).
Yoruba religious beliefs are part of Itàn (history), the total complex of songs, histories, stories, and other cultural concepts which make up the Yoruba society.