By Semiu Azeez
Religious groups consisting of Muslims, Christians and Oro Worshipers have agreed that there will be peace in Iseyin, the headquarters of Iseyin local government area of Oyo State during the 2019 Oro festival slated for 22 September and 8 October 2019.
The agreement was reached by delegates of the three major religions in the country, The Islam, Christianity and Traditional belief in a meeting convened by Elders, Princes and Princesses of Iseyin land held at the palace of Aseyin of Iseyin Land on Saturday 14th September, 2019.
At the meeting chaired by Elder Salaudeen Adelere and Alhaja Mistura Adeyeri, The Chief Imam of Iseyin Land, Sheikh AbdulAkeem Olajori, The Chairman Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN), Iseyin Local Government branch, Rev. Christopher Olugbade and The Jagun Ilado of Iseyin Land agreed that the last court order issued by a high court in 2000 should be adhered to strictly for this year celebration.
It was unanimously agreed that Oro adherents are allowed to perform all their rites between 5:30pm and 5:00am on the first day, seventh day and 17th day while they maintain 8:00pm and 5:00am on other days.
At the meeting that had Basorun of Iseyin Land, Chief Oyegbenle Adelodun, Ikolaba of Iseyin land, Chief Ismail Odubiyi and other chiefs of Aseyin in attendance, the religious groups appealed to one another not to infringe on rights of anybody through out the festive period.
The delegates agreed that adequate security should be provided by Aseyin-in-Council to forestall breakdown of law and order by any of the religious belief.
While lauding their understanding that fostered peaceful conduct of the meeting, Elder Olalere and generality of Chiefs of Aseyin of Iseyin Land appealed that nobody should attack the Oro Worshippers and vise versa.
They also warned Oro worshipers not to set out of their respective quarters unless it’s 5:30pm on the three days while assuring them that if they abide by the order, nobody will attack them and the town will be in peace.
It was however agreed upon that nobody should approach any media on the matter any longer as some bad eggs among journalists were allegedly peddling rumours which could be termed as seditious publications in their reportage.
