The State Government of Osun has urged Traditional Religion Worshippers to be moderate during the celebration of year 2020 “Isese Festival in order to prevent the spread of Coronavirus pandemic in the State.
Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Obawale Adebisi gave the advice in Osogbo at a meeting held with the Traditional Religion Worshippers Association of Osun (TRWASO).
He disclosed that there should be understanding between the Association and the Government, stating that Governor Oyetola is doing everything at his disposal to curtail the spread of the novel virus in the State.
Dr. Obawale also reiterated that the desease is still spreading like a wide fire everyday, noting that this explains why it must not be toyed with and that a lot of people have contracted the desease unknowingly. He therefore urged them to observe Covid-19 protocols while celebrating, stressing that the festival should also be celebrated in a symbolic way, that is, to just mark it and not in elaborate way as planned in order not to go against COVID-19 guidlines given by the Nigeria Center for Desease Control ( NCDC).
Speaking earlier, the President of the Association in the State, Oba Olawuni Bamijogbin disclosed that this year’s “Isese” festival will commence on 17th August, 2020 and end on 19th August, 2020 with the theme; “Ajakale Arun Maa lo” meaning; Pandemic desease! go away,” saying in order to observe COVID-19 protocols, the activities of the programme have been segmented to the six zones in the State such as Ile Ife with Oosa Alaso funfun, Ijesha zone with Oosa Obokun, Ede with Sango, Iwo Egungun, Ila with Egbe while Osogbo zone will stick to Osun in which few people selected from each local government will be allowed to witness the festival while grand finale will come up on the 20th August, this year.
Present at the meeting were the Director, Field Research and Documentation, Mrs. Sola Akinsola, Ag. General Manager, Osun Tourism Board, Mrs Oluwatoyin Ajayi, Director, Hotels and Hospitality, Mrs. Sola Akinyemi, Senior Special Assistant to the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr Opesina Raimi.
Others are, the Vice President of the Association, Chief Olojede Ojebowale, Assistant Secretary, Chief (Mrs)Awolola Ifatoyin, Consultant for Traditional Religion Worshippers in the State, Dr. Idris Badmus among others.
