Ibadan Stampede: Ooni Of Ife Extends Condolences And Calls For Improved Child Safety

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has expressed profound sympathy for the families affected by the tragic stampede that claimed 32 young lives during a festive event in Ibadan.

The incident, which took place at a yuletide celebration organized by Queen Naomi Silekunola, the Ooni’s ex-wife, and Oriyomi Hamzat, a prominent Ibadan radio host, has left the nation grieving. Both organizers, alongside others involved in the event, have since been detained for questioning regarding the tragedy.

In a statement released by his spokesperson, Moses Olafare, the monarch conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims and the Oyo State government. He also encouraged the event organizers to remain steadfast in their mission to serve their communities despite the heartbreaking incident.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the government of Oyo State, the organizers—Agidigbo Radio, led by Oriyomi Hamzat, and Ms. Naomi Silekunola Ogunseyi—alongside the grieving families of the young lives lost in this sorrowful incident in Ibadan,” the statement read.

The Ooni also commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his swift response to the tragedy and pledged support from the House of Oduduwa to help alleviate the pain of those affected.

A Call for Improved Safety Measures

The Ooni emphasized the critical need for stricter safety protocols during events involving children. He urged the organizers and other stakeholders to use this tragedy as a learning point to prevent similar occurrences.

“This unfortunate event highlights the urgent need for collaborative efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of children across Nigeria. We must prioritize robust child welfare policies and implement stricter safety measures at public gatherings,” the Ooni stated.

The monarch encouraged the organizers to remain committed to hosting impactful events while improving planning and execution to safeguard participants’ welfare.

The Ooni’s message serves as both a gesture of solidarity and a rallying call to ensure that children’s safety becomes a priority in all public activities.