‘We need public holidays for our festivals’ – ATR worshippers tell FG

African Traditional Religion (ATR) worshippers have appealed to the Federal government to declare August 20 as a national holiday for them.

The worshippers who noted government’s recognition of festive days for Christians and Muslims stated that their annual festival called “Isese Day’ should be provided with exactly the same treatment like other religion.

In accordance with a record issued by the group’s chairman and Ogun monarch, Oba Ifarotimi Balogun, the annual event was each day the worshippers celebrated all traditional Gods (deities) in the country.

He explained this year’s edition which will hold at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State, directed at fostering peace and unity on the list of deities.

“It is high time the country recognised the importance of Olorisa/Ifa Priest. Muslim/Christian leaders consult us for the progress of the country and they have public holidays in their respective festivals.”