Ibadan Stampede: Ooni Pledges Support For Victims’ Families
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has pledged his support for the families of the victims of the tragic stampede that occurred during a yuletide event in Ibadan.
The event, organized by the Ooni’s ex-wife, Queen Naomi Ogunseyi, and popular Ibadan radio owner, Oriyomi Hamzat, resulted in the death of 35 children.
The tragedy, which has led to the arrest of Queen Ogunseyi, Hamzat, and other organizers, has drawn widespread grief and condemnation.
In a statement issued by the Ooni’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, the monarch extended his condolences to the bereaved families and the government of Oyo State. He also encouraged the organizers to remain undeterred by the incident.
“We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the government of Oyo State, the organizers—Agidigbo Radio, owned by Oriyomi Hamzat, and Ms. Naomi Silekunola Ogunseyi—alongside the bereaved families of the young souls lost in the tragic incident in Ibadan.
“We also express our solidarity with the government of Oyo State as they navigate this difficult moment, commending Governor Seyi Makinde’s commendable responsiveness.
“This tragedy underscores the urgent need for collaborative efforts in ensuring the safety and well-being of children across Nigeria. The House of Oduduwa pledges to support all efforts aimed at bringing solace and healing to those affected by this devastating loss.”
The Ooni emphasized the importance of learning from the incident to prevent similar occurrences in the future. He called for stricter adherence to safety standards and the implementation of robust child welfare policies during events involving children.
“Rather than being discouraged by the sorrowful end of an event intended to show love and support to children during the yuletide, Miss Naomi Silekunola, Mr. Oriyomi Hamzat, and their co-organizers should remain committed to such laudable programs,” the Ooni said.
He urged them to improve their planning and execution strategies to ensure the safety of participants in future initiatives.
The Ooni’s statement serves as both a message of condolence and a call to action to prioritize child safety in public gatherings.
