The Governor Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has appealed to traditional rulers in the State to continue to serve as vital bridges between the people and the Government as Fathers of their respective Communities.
Governor Sanwo-Olu made the appeal during the inauguration of an eighty-four member Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs at the Lagos House, Alausa Ikeja.
The Council which will serve in an advisory role to the government for the next five years is chaired by the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu.
Governor Sanwo-Olu announced that between May, 2020 and June, 2023, his administration had installed forty-eight traditional rulers.
He solicited their support in ensuring peace, harmony, stability security and a conducive environment for everyone in their domains and the state in general.
“On our part, as an administration, we have continued to support our Traditional Rulers with welfare packages to enhance their mobility and general upkeep as well as the construction and renovation of palaces across the state. It is our expectation that all of these will aid seamless discharge of your duties in your respective domains.
The vital issue of security in our State should be our collective concern; as your collaboration with the Government and its’ Security Agencies would help in safe-guarding the peace that Lagos State has always enjoyed.
“Let me seize the opportunity of this occasion to thank our Traditional Rulers for your support during the last election, which resulted into my re-election as the Governor of Lagos State, for a second term, and especially the election of His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as all other APC Candidates both at the Federal and the State Levels. Let me assure you all, our Royal fathers, that I will continue to cherish and rely on your support and wise counsel as we strive to raise the profile of Lagos State among the comity of modern city-states in the world; through faith commitment to the implementation of our T.H.E.M.E.S+ development agenda”. The Governor said.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers in an interview with newsmen, the Elegushi of Ikate land, Oba Saheed Elegushi and the Oniru of Iru, Oba Omogbolahan Lawal urged the State Government to declare the 20th of August a work free day in Lagos to mark Isese Day.
Isese Day is a traditional religious festival to honour the Yoruba gods and ancestors. The day is marked with sacrifices, prayers, and feasting by devotees.
The Traditional rulers who said a letter had been written to the State Assembly to that effect noted that “It is a must for the traditionalists to have their own holiday to be able to practice their religion, moreover, when Christians and Muslims have public holidays for their festivals, it is right for us to also have our day”. “We are also providing security-spiritual security such as “oro” and spiritual security is very important”
In Ogun State, the House of Assembly had on Tuesday this week declared August 20th work free for traditionalists to mark Isese Day
In Osun State, the Day has been work free since 2013 to commemorate Isese Day.