Olubadan Condemns Children’s Carnival Stampede, Calls For Accountability
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, and the Olubadan-In-Council have expressed profound grief over the tragic loss of children and injuries sustained during a stampede at a children’s carnival held at Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan, Oyo State.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary, Olugbemiga Ayoade, the monarch commiserated with the families of the deceased, describing the incident as heartbreaking and avoidable. Reports indicate that over 30 children lost their lives, while several others sustained various injuries during the incident on Wednesday.
Call for Investigation and Preventive Measures
Oba Olakulehin urged the Oyo State Government to conduct a thorough investigation into the stampede, hold those responsible accountable, and implement measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
“We implore the State Government to establish protocols for organising and managing public events, especially those involving children, to ensure the safety of all participants,” the statement read.
Message to Families and the Public
The Olubadan and the Olubadan-In-Council extended their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, praying for the repose of the departed souls and the quick recovery of the injured.
“Kabiyesi and the Advisory Council are deeply saddened by this loss of innocent lives. We pray that God grants the families the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” the monarch stated.
He also called on parents and guardians to remain vigilant and prioritize their children’s safety during public gatherings.
A Call for Collective Responsibility
The Olubadan emphasized the need for collective efforts to ensure the safety and security of children at public events. This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the importance of proper crowd management and the protection of vulnerable populations.
The monarch concluded by reiterating his commitment to the welfare and safety of Ibadan’s residents, urging all stakeholders to work together to prevent such occurrences in the future.
