Makinde Reveals How Ibadan Stampede Tragedy Could Have Been Prevented Details

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic stampede that resulted in the loss of 35 young lives during a private funfair in Ibadan last December.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The event, organized by the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola, and others, has drawn widespread attention, particularly following her detention in connection with the incident.

In an emotional interview with Nigerian Tribune, Governor Makinde expressed his regret over the devastating loss, emphasizing that the children represented the future of the nation.

The governor lamented the potential that has been lost, stating, “Some of those children had the potential to become presidents, ministers, governors, and other influential figures, but now those dreams are gone.”

Makinde added, “When I think about the children, I believe it would have been better if we were to go, leaving them behind, as many of us have already achieved much. Among them were future inventors, leaders, and change-makers. So, given the tragedy, celebrating a birthday seems trivial. It’s a very painful loss.”

Discussing how the organizers could have prevented the tragedy, Makinde said, “This was avoidable. If the organizers and those involved had taken their responsibilities seriously, it wouldn’t have happened. There was a lack of crowd control, no coordination with security agencies, and no proper planning. By the time the issue escalated, the Commissioner for Health and the Chairman of the Hospital Management Board were already sending messages, but it was too late. The children were being taken to the mortuary. It’s a heartbreaking situation that we must learn from.”

Governor Makinde further noted that 2024 saw two major avoidable tragedies resulting in loss of lives. On January 16, 2024, an explosion occurred in Bodija due to the storage of explosives in a residential area, despite warnings to authorities. Two weeks before the year’s end, the stampede unfolded, highlighting critical lapses in safety measures and emergency response.