Chief Isiaka Ogundare, Apena of Lagos, on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to begin to support African traditional religion, just as it had always extended support to Islam and Christianity.
Ogundare in commemoration of the World Culture Day, said traditional religion which was an aspect of African culture, had not enjoyed the attention of government over the years.
While speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, Ogundare, expressed displeasure over the fact that traditional worshipers were not usually considered each time the Muslims and Christians got support for spiritual exercises to Mecca and Jerusalem.
He, however, appealed to government to also pay attention to traditional worshipers, who need support to promote their festivals and deities like Agemo, Igunuko and more.
“We the traditional worshipers are not happy, government has sidelined us for too long, we are not taken serious at all and we are not happy with this.
“Government will always support the Muslims, paying huge amounts for their hajj exercises, same goes for the Christians, who go to Jerusalem.
“We also crave such support to develop our local festivals and promote our deities.
“Agemo deity is supposed to be celebrated during Agemo festivals, it is the deity responsible for the protection of children. We don’t have the needed resources to celebrate the festivals as we should.
“Also the Igunuko deity, responsible for warding-off evil from the land, is also not well celebrated. There are many more of our deities and festivals that need to be celebrated and promoted.
“When resources are earmarked for hajj and mecca pilgrimages, some funds should also be given to us,” he said.
Ogundare advised Nigerians to practice religion by being charitable, showing compassion to others, and imbibing good morals.
He said exhibiting these qualities would make the society a saner place to live.
He warned Nigerians against neglecting African culture, while embracing the western culture, adding that the repercussion would be grievous later in the future as Nigerians would be left without an identity.
He advised Nigerians to uphold every aspect of the nation’s culture and explore ways of generating wealth from it. NAN reports that the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, is an annual event celebrated every year on May 21 globally, as declared by the United Nations General Assembly and adopted by UNESCO General Conference in 2001.
Ase……
On your contribution above to the post. I want to say that you really capture all what Apena was advising the government by duly recognising the culture and tradition in Nigeria rather than wasting nigeria money to Mecca and Jerusalem.
One thing that we are yet to ask ourselves is what are the essence of these foreign religions? These are movements led by Jesus Christ and Mohammedan of Saudi Arabian that later turned to religions but religions of who, where, and purpose? The religions of who? both Jesus Christ and Mohammed, Where? In Jerusalem and Saudi, the purpose is to preach the teaching of Jesus Christ and Mohammed.
Fine, but does Jesus Christ and Mohammed belong to Africa? NO. Do they come from Nigeria or, by extension, Africa? NO. Are they yoruba? NO. Then why are our government spending the money on Nigeria for Jerusalem and Saudi Arabian? There was no answer to that, but if I should be honest regarding the ignorance of our government towards the spending of Nigeria citizens’ money to these two countries yearly.
I will say, FOOLISHNESS. So, that foolishness should be harnessed to Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba culture and tradition for the development of Nigeria rather than serves the countries that have 24 hours electricity, good road networks, standard and basic education, health system etc.
So, the FOOLISHNESS of our government and to some extent, the nigerians must STOP for the future of pur born and the unborn children and future of our country
I really appreciate