After the tragic stampede at the Christmas funfair held on December 11, 2024, the community of Ibadan is grappling with grief following the unfortunate loss of 35 children’s lives. The incident, which occurred in the early morning hours at the Islamic High School venue, has sparked intense reactions from stakeholders and government officials alike.
The stampede, organized by Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, and Oriyomi Hamzat, has been attributed to poor event coordination, lack of adequate security, and medical facilities. Eyewitness accounts suggest chaos erupted as early as 6:30 AM, three and half hours before the event was set to commence at 10 AM. Investigations reveal the crowd had started forming as early as the day before, with many eager children hoping to receive Christmas gifts advertised heavily on local media.
Following the incident, the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, expressed his deep sorrow and committed to ensuring justice will prevail, regardless of his personal connections to the organizers. “Justice must be served... no life is greater or important than another,” Governor Makinde emphasized, vowing to hold accountable all those involved, stating, “If my own children were part of those who died, I would be saying something entirely different.” His remarks, captured on social media, reflect the seriousness of the situation, showcasing the need for thorough investigations.
At the center of the controversy, Naomi Silekunola and Hamzat have been remanded alongside the principal of the school, Fasasi Abdullahi Babatunde, following charges of conspiracy, negligent conduct causing harm, and the failure to provide safety measures at the event. While Silekunola's mother, Funmilayo Ogunseyi, has passionately pleaded for mercy on her daughter’s behalf, describing Naomi's efforts over the years to help the underprivileged, she has also decried the perception of her daughter as complicit in this tragedy. “Have mercy on me... my child only came to help the needy; this was not her first time,” she implored, noting her daughter's extensive philanthropic work over the past decade.
Ogunseyi shared details surrounding the events of the morning, asserting her daughter arrived after the stampede had already occurred. “The programme was meant to begin at 10 AM, but people started arriving the day before. By 6:30 AM, the crowd became uncontrollable,” she narrated, explaining how frantic calls for help were made. Her comments reiterate claims of overwhelming crowd management issues and inadequate logistical support for such gatherings.
Adding to the clarion call for accountability, local leaders from the All Progressives Congress (APC) convened to express their dismay over the incident. During their quarterly meeting, they condemned the negligence leading to the deaths, stating, “The number of children who died is alarming... we demand justice for the victims and their families.” They called for stronger safety measures for community events, stressing the necessity of learning from this incident to prevent future tragedies.
Funmilayo Ogunseyi isn’t alone in her efforts; the outcry surrounding the case has compelled factions across the state to demand more scrutiny around public safety protocols, especially during events anticipated to attract large crowds. The community leaders came together to acknowledge the failures of proper management and coordination, leading to distrust among citizens and the authorities responsible for their safety.
The stampede has left questions surrounding accountability and the legal ramifications for the organizers and involved parties, setting up the stage for potential reforms aimed at enhancing safety measures for public gatherings. Governor Makinde’s administration faces pressure to not only seek justice for the deceased but to assure the populace of safer event management practices moving forward.
Recently, protests have taken place, demanding the release of Naomi Silekunola and her co-accused pending trial, as public sentiment grows complex and nuanced. Supporters echo the sentiment of her mother, insisting her daughter was merely attempting to uplift the community through humanitarian efforts, which lamentably spiraled out of control.
Mrs. Ogunseyi, overwhelmed with emotion, described the situation as orchestrated by powerful groups wishing to take advantage of the tragedy for their ends. “They say her ordeal is an order from above,” she stated as she continued to appeal for the intervention of President Bola Tinubu and other influential Nigerians to come to their aid.
The aftermath of this shocking incident has left many wondering about the systemic issues surrounding event management safety and public responsibility. While families continue to mourn the loss of their little ones, calls for justice and accountability grow louder, urging those responsible for community safety to reevaluate their protocols critically.
At this time of mourning, it is imperative for local and state authorities to listen to the collective voices of the people as they navigate this crisis, ensuring preventive measures are firmly established to prioritize the safety of children and other vulnerable populations at future events.
