2026 Isese Day Holiday: Ijo Orunmila Adulawo Salutes Lagos, Ogun

2026 Isese Day Holiday: Ijo Orunmila Adulawo Salutes Lagos, Ogun

The Ijo Orunmila Adulawo has commended the Lagos and Ogun State Governments for recognising and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people through the observance of the 2026 Isese Day celebration.

The organisation, in a release signed by  the Olori Oluwo, Spiritual Head, Ijo Orunmila Adulawo,  World wide, Chief Ifagbemi Ifajobi, and made available to journalists in Lagos, described the recognition of Isese Day as a significant step towards preserving the indigenous values, traditions and cultural identity of the Yoruba people, noting that the celebration provides an opportunity for younger generations to reconnect with their ancestral heritage and appreciate its enduring relevance.

He said the decision by the two states to acknowledge the occasion demonstrates growing appreciation for Nigeria's diverse cultural heritage and the important role of traditional institutions in promoting peaceful coexistence, moral values and community development.

According to Ijo Orunmila Adulawo, Isese represents more than a cultural festival, stressing that it embodies a rich system of indigenous knowledge, spirituality, ethics, history and communal values passed down through generations.

The organisation urged other states and relevant authorities to support initiatives that preserve Nigeria's indigenous cultures, languages, traditions and historical institutions, describing cultural preservation as a collective responsibility.

It also called on practitioners and celebrants to mark the occasion peacefully and responsibly, using the celebration to promote unity, tolerance, mutual respect and the values of good character—Ìwà Pẹ̀lẹ́.

The Ijo Orunmila Adulawo extended warm greetings to traditional rulers, devotees, cultural organisations and the entire Yoruba community as they commemorate the 2026 Isese Day.

It prayed for peace, prosperity and stability in Lagos, Ogun and Nigeria as a whole, while calling for continued collaboration between government, traditional institutions and cultural stakeholders in preserving the nation's rich heritage.

“We salute the Lagos and Ogun State Governments for recognising the importance of our indigenous heritage. Isese is a living heritage, and its preservation is essential to the identity, unity and cultural continuity of our people.”, the statement added.