The Ogun State House of Assembly has declared every August 20 as a work-free day for the celebration of the isese-cultural day.
“Isese” is the yoruba word for tradition.”
The day to be marked annually in Ogun state, South West Nigeria, is to celebrate the yoruba traditions and religion in a display of culture and spirituality with parties, festivals, parades, and display of traditional apparels.
The lawmakers made the decision through a resolution titled “H.R. No.008/OG/2023-Observtation of Isese Day as Work-Free Day in Ogun State”.
It also followed a robust debate by the State lawmakers resulting in a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Yusuf Sherif and seconded by the Minority Leader, Lukmon Adeleye at the plenary presided over by Speaker Olakunle Oluomo immediately after their resumption from a two-week recess.
Rich culture
The resolution was aimed at propagating the rich culture and tradition of the State, thereby preserving it for the upcoming generations, and would go a long way in boosting tourism and the uniqueness of the culture and traditions of the State.
The Speaker Oluomo lauded his colleague-lawmakers for their contributions leading to the passage of the resolution which would give proper identity to the cultural values of the people, with a clarification that the declaration of public holiday remained the exclusive of the Federal Government; thus the proposed work-free day.
Also, the Assembly passed a resolution title: “H.R No. 007/OG/2023- Usage of Social Media Platform for official Purpose”, directing that social media platform being used for official purpose by the leadership and management of the House be guided by the provisions of the Standing Orders of the House and Legislative House (Power and Privileges) Act, 2018.
Meanwhile, the lawmakers have began the presentation of their inaugural speech disclosing their plans and programmes for their constituents within the next four years.
Promotion of trade
According to them, special attention would be accorded the passage of legislations that would address critical issues of qualitative development including human resource empowerment, affordable health care service, agricultural revolution, rural development, curbing cyber crimes, environmental protection, industrial development, promotion of trade and commerce as well as good road network amongst others.
The lawmakers noted that their oversight functions would be geared towards even distribution of resources, promotion of accountability and transparency to create value for government resources by Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government amongst others.
Lateefah Ibrahim