Isese Day Congratulatory Message to All Traditionalists in South West Nigeria – Otunba Babatunde Senbanjo

By Otunba Babatunde Olushola Senbanjo (BOS)

On this auspicious occasion of ISESE DAY, we extend our heartfelt congratulations and warmest felicitations to all devotees, custodians, and practitioners of the rich Yoruba traditional religion and culture across the South West of Nigeria.

Today, we do not merely mark a date on the calendar we celebrate the profound heritage, timeless wisdom, ancestral knowledge, and spiritual strength that have defined our people for centuries. Isese Day is a sacred reminder of the values, beliefs, and customs that shaped the Yoruba civilisation long before the advent of modern systems. It is a day to remember our roots, reconnect with our spiritual essence, and honour the deities, Orisas, ancestors, and custodians of our traditions.

To the Babalawos, Iyanifas, Olokuns, Sango devotees, Ogun worshippers, Osun priestesses, Egungun custodians, and all traditional leaders and faithful across Yoruba land, we say: E ku ise takun-takun! Your resilience in preserving our ancient ways despite modern pressures is heroic. You have carried the torch of Isese through generations, ensuring that our identity as a people is not lost to time or colonisation.

The world is beginning to acknowledge what you have always known that Isese is not merely a religion, but a complete way of life rooted in balance, harmony with nature, respect for elders, justice, communal living, and spiritual connection. Your steadfastness ensures that our children and grandchildren will have something to stand on, something authentic to return to.

As we commemorate this sacred day, let us also reflect on the need for unity among traditionalists, mutual respect among various sects and houses, and collective advocacy for the rightful recognition, support, and inclusion of traditional institutions in national discourse. Our practices are not relics of the past they are living systems of knowledge that still have answers for the challenges of today.

May the spirits of our ancestors bless all true followers of Isese with wisdom, peace, long life, and protection. May the Orisas continue to guide your steps, and may the flame of tradition burn ever brightly in our hearts and communities.

Isese l’agba!
Isese l’agba!!
Isese l’agba!!!

Happy Isese Day to all sons and daughters of Oduduwa.