In a tribute to the significance of Isese Day in the year 2023, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has proclaimed Monday, August 21st, as a day of respite for all public servants within the State. This gesture underscores the administration’s dedication to upholding and celebrating the native Yoruba culture and customs, as well as the imperative of safeguarding the Yoruba legacy.
“Isese Day” refers to the annual celebration of Isese, a Yoruba religious tradition centred around the worship of ancestral spirits and deities. Practitioners of this religion observe Isese Day as a way to remember their ancestors and engage with the spiritual aspects of their culture. It typically involves rituals, ceremonies, prayers, and offerings to the spirits and deities.
Isese Day, which holds considerable cultural and traditional value, is observed in Lagos as an occasion to honour the Yoruba heritage. The celebration is intricately intertwined with the indigenous Yoruba way of life.
A circular authored by the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, revealed that this year’s commemoration of Isese Day is scheduled for Sunday, August 20th, 2023. Additionally, the circular underscored the Governor’s unwavering dedication to extending essential support to traditional institutions across the State. This commitment, as emphasised by Mr. Muri-Okunola, serves to advance the cause of indigenous culture and tradition, as well as preserve the State’s cultural heritage.
Resuming the regular working rhythm, all State employees are expected to reconvene for duty on Tuesday, August 22nd, at 8 a.m., as articulated in the circular.
Governor Sanwo-Olu’s pronouncement of a work-free day aligns with his administration’s strategy to champion the cultural ethos of Lagos State while strengthening the bond between contemporary society and its ancestral lineage.
