Give Recognition To Traditional Religion, Govt Urged

Traditional religion has been described as one that is pure and tied to values that have transcended generations, which should be practised in secrecy.

Making the remark at the weekend was Chairman of Association of African Traditional Religion, Nigeria and Overseas (AATREN), Chief Olusegun Elegushi, while intimating newsmen with activities marking this year’s Isese Day coming up on 20 August, at the Oba Oniru palace, Victoria Island, Lagos, South West Nigeria.

Elegushi, who is the Opemoluwa of Ikateland in Eti Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, also lamented the state of the nation.

According to him, unless governments at all levels begin to lay premium to the sanctity of human life, Nigeria will remain a laughing stock amid the comity of civilised nations.

He decried the spate of kidnapping in the country, saying crimes like armed robbery, child trafficking, high profile assassinations, bribery and corruption, among others, are now commonplace in the country.

“I must say that the crescendoes we have witnessed in this nation vis a vis political killings have continually affronted our nationhood and disparaged us in the eyes of the international community. How long shall we continue to swim in this messy water? Nigerians should go for peace and abhor all forms of evil and inhuman activities,” Elegushi stated.

The AATREN boss also condemned the recent face off between the governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, describing it as shameful and called on stakeholders in the state including traditional rulers, to find a solution to the crisis.

The foremost traditional religion practitioner noted, however, that the future of Nigeria was bright and that the country would have a breakthrough as well as its citizens.

On this year’s Isese Day celebration, Elegushi, who made a repeated call for declaration of 20 August a public holiday, said the event will feature spiritual cleansing and appeasement of the gods, among other traditional activities.