A coalition of Isese groups led by the Ose Meji Foundation has explained the reason behind their collaboration with the Oyo State Ministry of Environment to combat environmental pollution.
While carrying out the cleansing of the polluted Osuntoki River in Olorunkemi community, Oluyole Local Government Area, the traditionalists explained that the cleansing was necessitated as a civic response to raise awareness about the pollution of water bodies and environmental sanitation.
Speaking with journalists over the weekend, the founder of the Isese Renaissance Society, Ayinke Ifatoromade-Otaoti Adefemi, said: “This exercise is in response to a video that recently went viral on social media, which showed devotees performing traditional rites on an infant in the polluted river, generating criticisms from within and outside the Isese community and serving as a call to action.”
According to her: “The fact-finding mission led us to this community, where we have learned about the waste disposal challenges faced by traditionalists and other residents in connection to this river. We reached out to the government, and we are grateful that they responded and supported this clean-up project.”
“The incident has certainly reminded us that as traditionalists, we are closer to nature than others, and the sustainability of our environment is a major priority in our traditional belief system. Because Isese is not a dirty religion, our interest in preserving nature is permanent, and we are open to collaborations to move the grassroots in achieving these goals together.”
Deputy Director, Environmental Health Services, Ministry of Environment, Basit Akorede, said that violations of environmental laws, particularly dumping refuse in unauthorised places such as roadsides, rivers, and burning refuse, attract a two-month imprisonment or an option of a N50,000 fine.
He urged residents of the community and others to engage refuse contractors assigned to their communities to avoid outbreaks of diseases.
The Chief Executive Officer of Alluvia Unique Concept, Adetunji Lam Adeshina, said the essence of the program was to sensitise people about proper solid waste management.
Also in attendance during the cleansing exercise were the Otun Baale of Olorunkemi community, Oloye R Oloso, the Baale of Ekolo Compound Ibadan, Chief Sulaimon Ekolo, the Secretary of Ose Meji Foundation, Oluwo Faseyi Adedosu, the community priestess, Yeye Omitoyosi Osuntoki Olosun, representatives from Ona Owuro School of Ifa Studies, Ile Oloosa Merindinlogun, Ile Ijosin Ifa Abalaye Ofun Ika, Ifakolade Atinumo Foundation, Abule Isese Global, and Arire Ifa Foundation.
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