ABEOKUTA–The supreme head of Traditional Worshippers and Believers in Nigeria, Oba Ifarotimi Adifagbola Balogun, The Olu Isese Agbaye , has called on Government at all levels to use traditional means to fight insurgency among other corrupt practices in Nigeria
He made the call at a Press confrence in Abeokuta as part of activities put in place to commemorate 2021 Igba Irumole Festival, held at Adifagbola/Alapo village Idi-Ori , Abeokuta
He was confident that with government support and approval for organising annual national African Traditional Festival, a greater opportunities will be created by worshippers to gather, consult and join hands with government at ridding the country of diseases and ravaging
insecurity Challenges among others bedevilling the Nigeria.
Kabiesi Balogun while eulogising the potency in traditional African power in tackling societal challenges said African power and knowledge had in the past addressed issues of insurgency among others saying though esurgency has been in existence since the beginning of the world, but that the forebearers were able to contain it excessiveness through the natives knowledge and power embedded in deities domiciling in various Communities and villages across the nation.
He pointed out that even as the nation is still battling with various forms insurgences, the prevailing tactical solution being deployed successful is traditional power drawn from different Communities and towns in the country. He noted that the Strategy has helped in keeping Nigeria together as a nation.
Oba Balogun urged Governments at all levels to give their full support and due recognition to the Traditional worshippers/ believers, saying the due recognition will bring a lot of positive changes and promote peaceful co- existence among the people. He noted that social crime and criminality would be reduced to bearest minimum by the influence of gods when invoked in the land
The Olu-Isese noted further that Traditional , Cultural Festivals was very important to the African people and it should be observed by people living in Traditional African Societies, though the practice is still very much prevalent in some Traditional African societies but the core importance is to fully tap from it potentials to project socio-Cultural heritage of the land and improve the economic well-being of every region hosting the Festival.
His words “We thank God for our forebearers in the Traditional African societies for preserving the core value which has been our cherished guiding principle at the ISESE KINGDOM OF TRUTH / ATORISE -OLOGOSE TEMPLE. More so we are also greateful to the present administration in the state led by Prince Dapo Abiodun for providing the solid platform for traditional Festivals across the State by putting in place, the State Alternate Medicine Board, ( OGAMB) to coordinate a purposeful traditional believers that will chat a positive way of utilising the available potentials for wellness and well being of our people.”
“Traditional festivals in Africa have been abused and taken for granted by many people. Some people do not recognise the fact that, it sustains our rich socio- – cultural values, promote communal unity, ensure security and serve as platform for social mobilization and societal cohesion. And in a bid to create more awareness and prevent further abuse of our culture, there should be rules and guidelines for cultural festival in Ogun State to serve as a guide lines for all festivals only if the State governor can put in more resources and efforts”
While soliciting for Government”s participation in the traditional cultural festival by declearing a public holiday to mark Isese Day in Ogun State, with a guiding frame work as well as policy that will streamline the operation and programme the across the state.
Oba Adifagbola explained that if Governments can be supportive through its policy, people will be motivated from different communities to set aside moments, seasons, periods or epochs to celebrate their life, experiences, cultural heritage which may include the worship of gods and godess that are affiliated to people or individuals as a away of promoting traditional Festivals in the state that will go a long way at promoting unity and sense of purpose among the people living at various Communities.
Kabiesi noted that , Although there are fetish aspects of traditional African festivals which cannot be hidden but the fact is that, one cannot but appreciate socio-economic and political role all these festivals are playing in the socio-economic development of African. Infact the huge economic benefits are enough to boost Nigeria revenue base as a whole without much stress. Among other opportunities to include; readymade jobs for teeming youths in the country and turn the nation to an hub of international tourist attraction if government can only consentrate 50 percent of its efforts towards this goal.
Dolapo Jinad
