• As traditionalists stage solidarity rally for deity in Osun

Shina Abubakar, Osogbo

A renowned Ifa priest, Araba Ifayemi Elebuibon has disclosed that ‘Esu’, which other religions referred to as Satan is not evil but a deity that stands for discipline and justice.

Clarifying the misconception at a Seminar organised by Concerned Isese Youth in Osogbo on Tuesday, Elebuibon said those referring to Esu as satan or devil was a deliberate attempt by Western religion to bastardise African Traditional Religion.

He stressed that as Africans, there is a need to educate the public about the essence of the deity called Esu rather than giving to misconception and deliberate lies.

His words, “It is important to correct the misconceptions about the traditional deity, Esu, there is need to educate the public about the true essence of Esu as a deity of discipline, order, and justice, contrary to widespread misconceptions.

“There are lots of misguided information about the Esu deity. We want the public to be aware, discipline themselves and to stay away from wrongdoings. We should stop blaming ESU deity when we do wrong. ESU deity has nothing to do with wrongdoings.

“I’ll appeal to all sundry to peacefully coexist, we don’t want religion violence in our society, that is why we are busy doing all we are doing today. We also appeal to all assundary to desist from violence and an abusive statements that may cause trouble in our society”, he said.

Meanwhile, the President, Traditional Religion Worshiper Association in Osun State, TRAWSO, Dr Oluseyi Atanda, noted that traditionalists have made it a duty to embark on enlightenment and correct the deep-seated misconceptions about Esu deity.

Earlier, Youth who are traditionalists converged at the stadium in Osogbo to stage a peaceful rally tagged “Esu is not Satan walk”, during which they walk through Omo West, Aiyetoro, Igbona, Old Garage, Oja Oba to the temple at Plantation area, sensitizing the public about the importance of the deity.