Traditionalist: Let Politicians Swear with Ogun to Make Nigeria Better

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

For Nigeria to overcome the present socio-economic crisis bedeviling the country occasioned by corruption, a traditionalist yesterday advocated for the use of objects of god of iron (Ogun) to swear-in public office holders.

The Oluwo Aseyin and Araba of Iseyinland, High Chief Olusoji Fashola, who made the call yesterday, while speaking with journalists at the commencement of the 2023 Ifa Asorodayo Festival, in Iseyin, Oyo State, also urged President Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde, to appoint Isese adherents into their administrations.

Programmes for the 2023 festival include  free medical outreach held at the palace of Aseyin of Iseyin.

Fashola said Nigeria is going through economic and social crisis because its leaders harbour religious sentiments that favour their pecuniary interests which made it possible for them to engage in corruption and other vices that have lowered expected ethical standards of Nigerians.

He lamented that part of the religious sentiments exhibited by the present administrations of President Tinubu and Governor Makinde is the non-inclusion of traditional religion worshippers in their cabinets or other public offices.

According to him, “Nigerian leaders starting from the President, our own governor and others are used to religious sentiments that make them give preferential treatment to the Muslims and Christians against we Isese adherents.

“They still swear-in political office holders with only Bible and Quran, why not Ogun objects? They know you cannot lie against Ogun and survive it. That is why corruption has become the order of the day with billions of naira being stolen daily by individuals that were voted or appointed to serve the people.

“Appoint Isese people into offices and swear them in with Ogun and see if they will not serve diligently and abstain from corruption, this is the only way for our country to survive the present conundrum.”

On the 2023 Ifa message, he said the oracle warned that peace should be maintained by those in power while coexistence of religious bodies should be paramount to Nigerian leaders, stating that the medical outreach organised by his NGO and which started 10 years ago has helped those in dire need of basic healthcare services and with no financial capacity.

Fashola added that about 1,325 residents benefited from the free medical outreach among which is distribution of free eye glasses and treatment for those with sight ailments, high blood pressure treatment and drugs distribution and general body check-ups.

One of the beneficiaries who is the Baale Barracks, Odo-Omu, Iseyin, Chief Awojobi Lawal, appreciated the organiser of the medical outreach as he said it has positively impacted many residents.

He stated that the medical practitioners that attended to him and others were thorough in their examinations and gave him drugs and medical advice about his health and effects of old age.

An SS2 student of Muslim High School, Iseyin, Musrofa Adelere, said she came for the outreach to complain about her sight and was given drugs after examinations.