Traditionalists task Oyo residents in environmental sanitation, protection
Why we partner Oyo govt, others to campaign against environmental pollution-Traditionalists
A coalition of Isese groups led by Ose Meji Foundation, in collaboration with the Oyo State Ministry of Environment, embarked on a cleansing of the polluted Osuntoki River in Olorunkemi community, Oluyole Local Government.
Traditionalists explaned that the cleansing was necessitated as a civic response to raise awareness about the pollution of water bodies and environmental sanitation.
Speaking with reporters during the weekend l, 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 led us to this community where we have learned about the waste disposal challenges faced by the local Orisa aderents and other residents in connection to this river. We reached out to the government and are thankful that they responded and supported this clean-up project.
“The incident has certainly reminded us that as Onisese, 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 violation of environmental laws, particularly dumping of refuse in unauthorized places, such as roadsides, rivers, and burning of refuse, attracted 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 sensitize people about proper solid waste management.
Also in attendance at the cleansing were the Otun baale of Olorunkemi community Oloye R Oloso, the baale of Ekolo Compound Ibadan Oloye Sulaimon Ekolo, the Secretary, Osemeji 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.
