Members of Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday pushed for the declaration of August 20th of every year as Public holiday in commemoration of Isese day in the State.
Hon. Setonji David, representing Badagry Constituency II, moved the motion on the floor of the House titled “Need to preserve our traditional religion and culture”.
According to the lawmaker while citing Chapter 2 Section 38 of the Nigerian Constitution to buttress his position stated that, “Every Person shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom (either alone or in community with others, and in public or in private) to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance”.
He further stated that custodians of traditional religion have been clamoring for better recognition of their religion and culture attributing some of the challenges presently facing the country to the decision of the government and citizens to jettison the tradition as religion and culture of the people.
Members who spoke on the matter implored the House Committee on Tourism to come with a legislation that would assist the government to declare a public holiday to be marked as Isese day.
Hon. Mosunmola Sangodara, representing Surulere II, stated that there are differences between culture and religion; Culture encompasses our way of life which includes dressing, mode of greeting and moral vices that shapes our attitude and behavior in the society while religion is the belief in the existence of a God or gods and the activities that are connected with the worship of them..
Hon. Akinsanya Nureni, representing Mushin I, concurs that 20th August should be considered by the House for Isese day and the Government should support the traditional worshippers as they support other religion.
He added that Osun State Government has set the pace in this regard, enjoining his colleagues to allow Lagos to toe the line. He further opined that the traditional worshippers should come to an agreement over the date.
Hon. Rotimi Olowo in his submission reiterated the need for the government to support the culture and tradition of the land as this would aid the progress of the economy. He noted that a calendar that would mark the days of such celebrations should be drawn while the public should be notified through the media.
Hon. Solaja Saka, representing Ikorodu II, remarked that the public should respect the traditional sense of our culture, as Muslims and Christians are being respected.
Hon. Olumuyiwa Jimoh said that the law on Lagos Tourism and Culture should be amended by the new administrations to acknowledge the Isese day.
The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Wasiu Sanni-Eshinlokun who presided the sitting thereafter, advised that the position be incorporated into the existing tourism and culture law of the State while the House Committee on Tourism, Arts and Culture engages the Executive on the issue, with a view of giving legislative backing to the proposed consideration as moved by Hon. David Setonji. All the Member present at the sitting consequently agree to this as collective decision of the House in respect to dedicating every august 20th as Isese day in the State.
