Commends Ogun State Government on Declaration of Work-Free Day

The Iperu Indigenes Forum has extended its warmest felicitations and goodwill to the Oluwo of Iperu and a member of the Administrative Team of the Forum, High Chief Barr. Ifasola Ojelade Ayantola OPEODU, Chairman of the 2026 Isese Day Planning Committee, and the entire leadership and membership of the Traditional Worshippers Association of Nigeria, Iperu Branch, on the occasion of the 2026 Isese Day Celebration.

The Forum also commended the Ogun State Government, ably led by His Excellency, Prince Dapo ABIODUN, CON, Governor of Ogun State, for the recognition accorded traditional religious adherents through the declaration of a work-free day to enable them to have ample time and opportunity to observe and celebrate the 2026 Isese Day in accordance with their cherished religious and cultural traditions.

In a goodwill message issued by the Forum and signed by the Convener, Prince Ladi OLABINJO; Administrator, Otunba Adebayo SALAMI; and Media Officer, Temitope OYEKAN, the Forum described the annual Isese Day celebration as an important occasion for reflection, thanksgiving, cultural affirmation and the preservation of the rich indigenous heritage of the Yoruba people.

The Forum particularly congratulated the Oluwo of Iperu, High Chief Barr. Ifasola Ojelade OPEODU, not only for his leadership and commitment as Chairman of the Planning Committee for this year's celebration, but also for his valuable contributions as a member of the Administrative Team of the Iperu Indigenes Forum.

The Forum commended his dedication to the promotion of indigenous culture, tradition and spirituality, noting that his role in coordinating the celebration represents another demonstration of his commitment to the preservation and responsible propagation of the cultural heritage of the community.

According to the Forum, Isese Day goes beyond being a ceremonial occasion. It provides an opportunity for adherents of traditional religion and the wider society to acknowledge, preserve and celebrate the indigenous spiritual and cultural heritage handed down through generations.

It is also a period for thanksgiving, prayers, communal reflection, spiritual renewal and the reaffirmation of the values upon which indigenous communities have historically been built.

The Iperu Indigenes Forum noted that the celebration offers an important opportunity for traditional religious adherents to demonstrate that indigenous spirituality, when practised responsibly and peacefully, remains an integral component of the cultural identity and heritage of the Yoruba people.

The Forum further acknowledged the significant role played by traditional worshippers in the cultural ecosystem, serving as custodians of indigenous knowledge, oral traditions, festivals, rituals, music, language, historical narratives and other forms of intangible cultural heritage. Through their practices and institutions, they help preserve knowledge and traditions that might otherwise be lost to successive generations.

It stressed that traditional worshippers also contribute to community cohesion by promoting values such as respect for elders, communal responsibility, moral conduct, peaceful coexistence and reverence for the natural and spiritual environment.

Their contribution to the preservation of indigenous festivals, traditional arts, cultural performances and historical memory makes them important stakeholders in the continuing development and preservation of Yoruba cultural heritage.

The Iperu Indigenes Forum particularly expressed its appreciation to the Ogun State Government for formally recognising the significance of Isese Day and creating an enabling environment for traditional religious adherents to observe the celebration without the constraints of their regular work schedules.

The body described the declaration of a work-free day as a commendable demonstration of respect for religious freedom, cultural diversity and the indigenous heritage of the people of Ogun State.

It noted that the gesture by the administration of Governor Dapo ABIODUN CON, represents an important step towards inclusiveness and the recognition that the cultural and spiritual traditions of indigenous communities form an important part of the collective identity and heritage of the state.

According to the Forum, providing traditional worshippers with a dedicated opportunity to observe their special day also demonstrates the government's commitment to peaceful coexistence and equal respect for the diverse religious and cultural traditions represented across Ogun State.

The Forum therefore commended Governor ABIODUN for the initiative and urged all traditional religious adherents to reciprocate the gesture by celebrating peacefully, responsibly and with due respect for the rights and beliefs of people of other faiths.

The Iperu Indigenes Forum also recalled with appreciation the special prayers and spiritual cleansing recently undertaken by traditional religious adherents in Iperu, describing the exercise as a significant spiritual and communal undertaking.

The Forum observed that such prayers and cleansing provided an opportunity for members of the traditional religious community to come together in reflection, supplication and a collective desire for peace, wellbeing, progress and spiritual renewal within the community.

It therefore expressed the hope that the spiritual significance of that recent exercise would continue to inspire unity, peace, mutual respect and positive communal engagement among all sons and daughters of Iperu, irrespective of religious affiliation.

The Forum emphasised that the strength of Iperu lies in the peaceful coexistence of its diverse religious and cultural communities and urged all stakeholders to continue to respect one another while contributing positively to the development of the community.

The Iperu Indigenes Forum wishes the Oluwo of Iperu and Chairman of the Planning Committee for the 2026 Isese Day Celebration, High Chief Barr. Ifasola Ojelade OPEODU, the leadership of the Traditional Worshippers Association of Nigeria, Iperu Branch, the Planning Committee, and all traditional religious adherents a peaceful, spiritually fulfilling and successful 2026 Isese Day Celebration.

The Forum prays that the celebration will bring renewed strength, wisdom, peace, prosperity and spiritual wellbeing to the adherents and the entire Iperu community.

May the occasion further strengthen the bonds of unity among the people, promote greater appreciation of our indigenous heritage and encourage the responsible preservation of our cultural values for present and future generations.

Concluding, the Iperu Indigenes Forum sends its heartfelt congratulations and warm felicitations to all traditional religious adherents on the occasion of the 2026 Isese Day Celebration, while appreciating the Ogun State Government for its recognition and support for the observance of this important cultural and religious occasion.

*Temitope OYEKAN* 

Media Officer

Iperu Indigenes Forum

20th August, 2026