As the traditional religion practitioners across the country celebrate the 2024 Isese Day, President of the Association of African Tradition Religion Practitioners Of Nigeria AATREN, Nigeria and Overseas Chief Ifasegun Elegushi has called on the government to introduce the African traditional religion in the curriculum of primary and secondary schools across the country.
Chief Ifasegun Elegushi made this call while speaking with the media on Tuesday at his Lekki-Ikate home.
It could be recalled that the Lagos State government and some other South West States in Nigeria, such as Ogun, Oyo and Osun States declared August 20 as a work-free day in respect of the 2024 Isese Day celebration.
Chief Ifasegun Elegushi said, “It is a well known fact that the African traditional religion is the foremost religious practice on earth, however, we are mindful of the diverse cultures and religions across Africa, hence the need to collaborate together to use our culture and traditions to add value to Nigeria as a nation in a nation building and Africa at large
” I àm using this opportunity to thank our governor in Lagos State, His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu and all Yoruba governors and leaders for recognizing AATREN which is the umbrella association of African Traditional Religion Practitioners worldwide, for our many years of efforts and sacrifices in preserving our Cultural and Traditional Heritage by declaring August 20 every year as public work free day. I’m also using this opportunity to call on the government, particularly states in the south west Nigeria , to introduce the African traditional religion in the curriculum of primary and secondary schools across the country so that our children and future generations can learn and understand what ISESE is all about.”
This year’s Isese Day celebration by AATREN started on Saturday, 17th of August with Etutu at Ilasan where special prayers was offered for the peace, unity and progress of Lagos State and Nigeria at large.
A special prayers was also offered for the governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
“Peace is very important in the development of a nation, and we understand the need to live in peace and harmony as citizens in Nigeria; amongst all citizens irrespective of race, political party affiliation and religious affinities. So we prayed for peace, unity and progress of the land, using Lagos State as a point of contact”.
At this point we’re requesting the Federal Ministry of Justice and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly to urgently nationalize August 20 as a National Traditional Religion Holiday and set up National Traditional Religion Commission just like Hajj Commission and Christian Pilgrims Commission.
The need to introduce African Traditional Religious Studies in our education curriculum in all primary and secondary schools in Nigeria is a deliberate Advocacy on the need to educate our children on the value of our heritage.