Isese Day: Lagos Government Declares Tuesday Public Holiday

Lagos Government has declared Tuesday a public holiday to celebrate Isese Day.

Glamtush reports that the Lagos State Government has declared Tuesday, August 20, as work-free for public servants to mark this year’s Isese Day celebration.

This online news platform learnt that this is the first time the state government is declaring holiday for Isese Day celebration.

The announcement is contained in a circular issued by the Head of Service, Bode Agoro approved by Government Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The circular directed public servants to resume work on Wednesday, August 21, by 8.00am.

The circular reads: “COMMEMORATION OF YEAR 2024 ISESE DAY – DECLARATION OF WORK FREE DAY

“It is hereby notified for general information that this Year’s Isese Day Celebration will hold on Tuesday, 20th August, 2024.

“In emphasizing commitment to give necessary support to traditional institutions, as well as enhance the promotion of indigenous tradition by preserving cultural heritage, Mr. Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has approved that Tuesday, 20th August, 2024, be declared a Work-Free Day for Public Servants in the State.

“Consequently, work resumes on Wednesday, 21st August, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.

“Accordingly, all Accounting Officers are enjoined to note the contents of this Circular and give it the deserved Service wide publicity.”

Meanwhile, other South West States like Ogun State, Ondo State have also joined in the public holiday to mark the annual celebration.

Although the United Nations had declared August 20, as World Traditional Religion (Isese) Day, this is the first time the Lagos State Government declared a public holiday for adherents to celebrate the day.

Isese (the Yorùbá word for Tradition) Day celebrates the Yorùbá traditions and religion in a display of culture and spirituality with parties, festivals, parades, lectures and display of other traditional apparels to attract tourists from other parts of the world.

As well as in South-West Nigeria, Isese day is celebrated by Yorùbá diaspora communities around the world.

Yoruba people are a large ethno-linguistic group or ethnic nation in Africa, and the majority of them speak the Yoruba language.