Oba Olawumi Badiru, the Akire of Ifeland, who doubles as Former President for Traditionalists across the state, has urged members to practice with the fear of God.
Badiru gave the advice during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Monday, in Ile-Ife.
He said that the religion is complex and involves: Olosun, Oloya, Onisango, Yemoja, Olobatala, Alakire, Oluorogbo and Oodua.
According to him, the traditional religion was the first that was inherited by their forefathers, while Christianity and Islam were borrowed from Jews and Saudi Arabia respectively.
The Former President stated further that there’s no other religion apart from tradition as far as the Yoruba nation is concerned.
He lamented the lackadaisical attitude of the government towards promoting traditional religion at the expense of other religions.
Badiru commended Gov Rauf Aregbesola, who inaugurated and declared a holiday for Isese Day in Osun and who used to give huge amounts of money for the celebration of the day.
The Akire of Ile-Ife said that the efforts of the present administration under the leadership of Gov Adegboyega Oyetola towards the religion cannot be over-emphasised.
“Almost 80 per cent are traditionalists, both Christians and Muslims, and know how to use leaves and roots more than traditionalists themselves.
“Those that sit at home as professionals are 20 per cent,” he said, and debunked the rumour that traditionalists are the supporters of evil doers.
“Hardly could you hear the names of traditionalists among evil perpetrators, but Christians and Muslims are those that are involved so much in that,” he insisted.
The Former President of Traditionalists appealed to members to ensure that they are faithful and honest and operate with the fear of God.
According to him, Christians and Muslims are the ones going to traditionalists to seek spiritual assistance and warned members to desist from such atrocities.
“Anyone found guilty among the traditionalists would be punished by the association,” he said and admonished all and sundry to wait for their times rather than running helter and skelter trying to make it in life.
He also urged government not to forget traditional religion and appealed to Yorubas to look back and see it as their heritage, saying it’s their forefathers and mothers’ heritage, which must be embraced.
