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By Emmanuel Adeleke
National Council of Iseselagba (traditional worshippers) has appealed to both federal and state governments to recognise its members by appointing them into various positions across the country.
The Awise (Speaker) of the council in Ekiti State, Dauda Lawal, stated this
at a press conference in Ado Ekiti.
He said there are three main religions in Nigeria– Christianity, Islam and Traditional.
Lawal, who decried how traditionalists were being sidelined from appointment to positions in government, urged both federal and state governments to extend the hand of fellowship being enjoyed by Christians and Muslims in the area of appointment to traditional worshippers.
He also called on both governments to consider public holiday for traditionalists to celebrate as being done for Christian and Muslim faithful.
“We appeal to the federal and state governments to declare every August 20 as public holiday for us also. That is a day that every traditionalist prays in their homes, makes sacrifices, propitiations and consultations throughout the country. There is a need for a public holiday for this so that we can have more time to pray and make effective use of the day,” he said.
Lawal also called on Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, to consider traditionalists alongside Christians and Muslims for political appointments, in order to sustain the developmental strides he had embarked on since his assumption of office.
“As we congratulate the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, for his victory in the February election, we appeal to him to consider competent traditionalists for appointments into various offices when he assumes office,” he added.