Family head of Idota, the family responsible for crowing Olota of Ota, Alhaji Saheed Ekundayo Ogungbayi, has drummed support for this year’s annual Isese day celebration slated for 20th August.
Speaking in a telephone interview, Alhaji Saheed Ekundayo said that Isese, being an ‘ancestral heritage’, should be all encompassing and should be celebrated as other festivals.
He added that being the head of a prominent family in Ota, it behoves on him, the temerity to embrace all religious practices as both Muslim, Christian and Traditional worshippers make up the composition of the family and this is not in any way, ‘contradicting’ to his religious ideology as a practicing Muslim.
“You see, Isese is a thing of our forebears and I am glad the world is beginning to appreciate it better than they did in the past.
“Isese should be celebrated by all and sundry just as the other two religions that are prominent today. For instance, in my family, there are Muslims, Christians and Traditional worshippers, I am the head of all of them. I accommodate and embrace everyone regardless of their religion ideology.
“This does not negate the fact that am a Muslim and even an Alhaji at that. Therefore, we should identify with the Isese people as well just like we do to Muslims and Christians”.
Speaking on the roles of traditional rulers in modern traditional practice, Alhaji Ekundayo said, ‘they have great roles to play, especially in this era when there are many religious crisis all over the world, adding that they should strive to preserve ‘our ancestral heritage’.
He lauded the Olota of Ota, Oba Prof. Adeyemi Abdulkabir Obalanlege for being a symbol of ‘ true tradition’ as his efforts in ensuring smooth coexistence among all the faiths in Ota is worthy of mention in that religion intolerances have infiltrated some parts of Yoruba land, thereby causing disunity among brothers. He however, prayed long life and continuous smooth reign of the Olota on the throne of his forebears.
On the activity marking the 1st year anniversary of Baale of Idota, Alhaji Saheed Ekundayo assured that the family are not reneging on efforts to hold a befitting anniversary of their traditional head. He assured that the media will be notified as soon as concrete plans are ready for the anniversary celebration.
Plans are in top gear to stage this year’s Isese day in Ota as the planning committee Chairman and Araba of Ota, Oluwo (Dr.) Fasola Faniyi has invited all and sundry to come share in their joy at Ita Yard on Sunday, 20th August, 2023 by 11:00am.
