Lagos Declares Monday as Work-Free Day in Honor of Isese Festival

As part of the Lagos State Government’s observance of the 2023 Isese Day celebration, which will take place on Sunday, August 20, it has declared Monday, August 21 a work free day for all the state employees.

 This information may be found in a circular with a date of August 18 that The PUNCH acquired on Saturday.

The Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, signed the circular, which stated that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had declared Monday to be a work-free day for public employees “with a view to promoting our indigenous culture and tradition while preserving our heritage.”

“In restating its commitment to continue to provide the necessary support to traditional institutions in the state with a view to promoting our indigenous culture and tradition while preserving our heritage, Mr. Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has graciously declared Monday, 21st August 2023, a work-free day for public servants in the state. Work will, therefore, resume on Tuesday, 22nd August at 8 am prompt,” the circular partly read.

The Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs reportedly petitioned the Lagos State Government to recognize and designate August 20 as an official holiday in the state in July, according to The PUNCH.

“It has become crucial for the state government to recognize August 20 as Isese Day in the spirit of democracy and religious freedom, according to traditional leaders who spoke at the state Council of Obas and Chiefs’ inauguration for a new five-year term.

The Elegushi of Ikate-Elegushi Kingdom, Oba Saheed Elegushi, spoke on behalf of the council and said, “It is a demand that has been on the governor’s table for so long.”