………As Oshodi/lsolo Local Government holds lsese Day in Style.
…….Let Us Preserve Our Culture And Heritage–Hon Dr Dawodu
Emmanuel lkpeama.
Parents have been asked to actively participate in the transmission of cultural education and practices to their children so as to highlight the significance of preserving the customs and traditions passed down through generations.
The call was made on Tuesday,20, August,2024 during the 2024 lsese Day celebration which showcases the rich cultural heritage and deep spiritual roots of its communities in Oshodi/lsolo LGA .
The event which took place at the council secretariat field had in the attendance the Executive Chairman,Hon Otunba Kehinde Almaroof Oloyede who was ably represented by his Chief of staff, Comrade Leke Banjoko,the Member representing Oshodi/lsolo 1 at the Federal House of Representative,Hon Dr Bashiru Dawodu who was represented by his personal secretary,Hon Adewole Oluwatoyin,the LGA Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, Oshodi/lsolo,Hon Animashaun Saheed,the State Financial Secretary of APC,Hon Wasiu Banjo,leader of the house,Hon Rasheed Adesina Obasa,Hon Fatoki Adeleye, Councilors, traditional worshippers, masquerade and cultural enthusiast.
The Chairman,Hon Otunba Kehinde Oloyede thanked the people for coming out to celebrate this year lsese day festival, stating that the event which significance is preservation of customs and traditions would usher peace and unity in the community.
Hon Oloyede stated that lsese day is a day set aside to celebrate the cultural heritage of the yoruba community and also to celebrate the ancestors, noting that the culture which would bring a flashback the beautiful culture,morals and values that are missing in today’s generation.
He went further to state that the festival which is of great importance to the yoruba community would bring peace and harmony as businesses will flourish because prayers have been rendered and Oshodi/lsolo would be great again, while advising parents not to neglect the cultural heritage and have the habit of inculcating the cultural values in their children.
” The White Europeans came to give us their own culture,we have our beautiful culture and need to teach our young generation the importance of this culture and go back to our traditions and customs of doing things”he said.
The Federal lawmaker representing Oshodi/lsolo 1 at the House of Representative,Hon Dr. Bashiru Dawodu who was represented by Hon Adewole Oluwatoyin remarked that the future of cultural heritage rests in the hands of the next generation, led by the dedication and efforts of today’s families.
He asked parents to prepare their children and strengthen them to know who they are and their identities, so that as they go in the world, they are strong in who they are, stating that the lsese day is a day that encapsulate the essence of our rich cultural heritage, wisdom of our ancestors and the enduring traditions that bind us together as a community.
“Today is a day when we reflect on the strength of our roots,the unity within our diversity and beauty of our shared history. Let us embrace the unity , strength and wisdom of our cultural heritage. Our culture and traditions are not just echoes of the past,but the foundation of our collective progress,may this special day bring joy, prosperity and a deeper connection to our roots.”he stated.
Speaking to lnvestigator news,the leader of the house,Hon Rasheed Adesina Obasa stated that the the festival is to showcase the potential and the cultural heritage and diversity in the state.
Hon Rasheed who appealed to parents with a matter of urgency to inculcate the tradition and customs of the yoruba community, stating that the lsese day celebration will make the children to know their roots as most of them is unaware of the festival.
“Isese day celebration would bring our back our yoruba culture that has been forgotten by many, but with this celebration done every year,it will make us and our young generation to know their roots. Our roots is very important,the whites came to our land and gave us a borrowed culture but by celebrating lsese day, our children would remember their roots.
” Many castigate this traditional worshippers but to tell you the truth,they call on the same God with Muslims and Christians,they don’t believe in anything except God almighty but in their own very way,so l call upon parents and the state government to come up with programs that would help teach our children this cultural heritage of our forefathers”he submitted
He went further to commend and appreciate the Executive Chairman,Hon Kehinde Oloyede for transforming the local government in terms of infrastructure,road network, construction and renovation of schools, assisting the down trodden,widows in the community through his food for all initiative program which is done quarterly, while calling on the entire people of Oshodi/lsolo to continually support and pray for his administration, noting that with the level of infrastructure put in place, his second term is rest assured.
Lending his voice,the Revenue Chairman of the local government,Hon Fatoki Adeleye opined that the lsese celebration should be observed quarterly because most of the children have forgotten where they came from and don’t know the origin of lsese day celebration.
Hon Fatoki said “Let us teach our children to learn our language and culture.Let us teach them the importance of lsese day celebration,give to them the opportunities of where they come from. Isese day is all about cultural heritage and our history is important,most parents have not done enough to help children value our heritage.and unless this is done,it could lead to cultural erosion.”
“My assumption is we teach these cultural values right from our doorsteps at home. You teach what the Egungun religion is all about,, what they do and other customs and traditions.Even the speech, everything, how to speak the local language, among others, so that when they come at school, at school we blend,”
“We are speaking too much English at home. We are shunning our culture. We don’t want our children to go to the roots, to pick the best from the villages but we are acting English. But even after acting English, we don’t satisfy what is expected of the Queen’s culture, and we are not good,”
“And also in our culture, our children are left in balance. So the children grow up, when they don’t know their culture, they cannot appreciate anything good. So the harm we are doing, we fail to show what’s the best in our culture. So that’s a big challenge,”he submitted
Investigator news reports that the venue was lively with processions of masquerades as the atmosphere was filled with chants, songs, and drumming, reflecting the unity and pride within Oshodi/lsolo as residents and visitors alike enjoyed the captivating scenes of divinity and cultural pride, immersing themselves in a display of authentic Yoruba heritage.
It will be recalled that the festival was recently approved for inclusion in the UNESCO representative list for intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
Highlight of the event was cultural dance drama,display by the Egungun religion worshippers whose masquerades displayed to the admiration of the dignitaries.
