Isiaka Ogundare, Apena of Lagos, on Tuesday, urged the federal government to support African traditional religions just as it has always upheld Islam and Christianity.

In commemoration of World Culture Day, Mr Ogundare said traditional religion, an aspect of African culture, had not enjoyed the government’s attention over the years.

While speaking with journalists in Lagos, Mr Ogundare expressed displeasure over the fact that traditional worshippers were considered each time Muslims and Christians got support for spiritual exercises in Mecca and Jerusalem.

“We, the traditional worshippers, are not happy; the government has sidelined us for too long; we are not taken seriously at all, and we are not happy with this.

“The government will always support the Muslims, paying huge amounts for their hajj exercises; the same goes for the Christians, who go to Jerusalem,” said Mr Ogundare.

However, he appealed to the government to also pay attention to traditional worshippers who need support to promote their festivals and deities, such as Agemo, Igunuko, and others.

“We also crave such support to develop our local festivals and promote our deities.

“The Agemo deity is supposed to be celebrated during Agemo festivals; it is the deity responsible for protecting children. We don’t have the needed resources to celebrate the festivals as we should.

“Also, the Igunuko deity, responsible for warding off evil from the land, is not well celebrated. Many more of our deities and festivals need to be celebrated and promoted.

“When resources are earmarked for hajj and Mecca pilgrimages, some funds should also be given to us,” he said.

Mr Ogundare advised Nigerians to practice religion by being charitable, showing compassion to others, and imbibing good morals.

The traditional worshiper said exhibiting these qualities would make society a safer place to live.

He warned Nigerians against neglecting African culture while embracing Western culture, adding that the repercussions would be grievous later in the future as Nigerians would be left without an identity.

World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is an annual event celebrated globally on May 21, as declared by the United Nations General Assembly and adopted by the UNESCO General Conference in 2001.

(NAN)