BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has ordered states and relevant authorities to enforce strict crowd control measures immediately across the country to avert frequent stampedes.
This was even as 29 persons mostly women, died on Saturday in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, during the distribution of bags of rice by Obijackson Foundation owned by Anambra businessman and philanthropist, Chief Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi.
Also, 10 others died in a stampede during the distribution of food items at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja.
The two incidents occured barely 72 hours when 35 children died on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at a Christmas party in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
News Rider reports that the Ibadan stampede happened at Islamic High School, Orita Bashorun, Ibadan, when the children rushed to collect their gifts, at an event organised by Wings Foundation, owned by the former wife of Oni of Ife, Queen Naomi Silekunola Ogunseyi, in partnership with Agidigbo FM.
To honour the victims of Abuja and Okija stampedes, President Tinubu cancelled all his official events in Lagos including his attendance at the 2024 Lagos Boat Regatta.
President Tinubu was scheduled to watch the boat parade and other activities of the Boat Regatta from the waterfront of his Oyinkan Abayomi Drive residence in Ikoyi before the incidents.
Dignitaries, including top officials of the Lagos State government and white cap chiefs from the State, were already seated when the President cancelled his appearance following briefings on the tragedies.
The President noted the disturbing resemblance between the mishaps at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, and a community Centre in Okija, Anambra State, as well as the tragic incident in Ibadan, Oyo State last week.
He said that local and state authorities should no longer tolerate operational lapses by organisations and corporate bodies involved in charitable and humanitarian activities.
While praying for the peaceful repose of the souls of the innocent Nigerians who died in the stampedes, President Tinubu wished the injured a quick recovery.
He informed that the mishaps were avoidable if event planners adhered to necessary safeguards and protocols to ensure pre- and post-event safety.
"In a season of joy and celebration, we grieve with fellow citizens mourning the painful losses of their loved ones. Our prayers of divine comfort and healing are with them," he added.
This was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Saturday.
Catholic Church Shocked
The Catholic Church in Nigeria has expressed shock and sadness during Saturday's stampede at the Holy Trinity Church Maitama in Abuja.
National Director of Social Communications at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Padre Mike Nsikak Umoh regretted that such well-planned event turned tragic.
He noted that the distribution of food was designed by the church to bring succour to Nigerians during this Yuletide season.
Umoh enjoined all parishes across the country to put in place adequate crowd control measures to avert further incidents.
He said: "It is very unfortunate this is happening in our country Nigeria, a land of plenty. We keep hearing every day about millions and billions being stolen with no accountability. It is sad because a similar incident occurred a few days ago in Ibadan. In our history in Nigeria, just within one week, we have recorded two incidents.
"So, it’s an indication that hunger is real in the land; there is desperation in the land. People gravitate toward wherever there is food."
Obijackson Sorrowful Over Loss Of Lives
The Obijackson Foundation has expressed deep sorrow over yesterday’s tragic incident that led to loss of lives in Okija, Anambra State.
This was even as the foundation promised to investigate the cause of the tragedy in order to forestall future occurrences.
A statement by the foundation revealed that it will not be deterred from engaging in philanthropy.
"We humbly seek the understanding of our community as we reflect on this painful moment.
"This setback will not deter us from our mission to serve the vulnerable and uplift those in need. We will learn from this experience and strive to do better," the statement reads.
Wike Harps On Police Permit
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has mandated individuals or organisations planning public distribution of palliatives to obtain permission from the police.
A statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, revealed that the minister also directed government hospitals to treat persons that sustained injury during the stampede free of charge.
Stampedes, Signs Of Systemic Failures–Obi
The presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi has described the stampedes as systemic failures plaguing Nigeria.
In a series of tweets on X platform, Obi was worried that despite abundant resources and fertile land in Nigeria, people are dying of hunger in the country.
"While I will not cast blame, but instead appreciate the organisers of these respective events for their kind gestures in providing palliatives and support to society, especially the poor, these tragedies reflect the systemic failures that plague our society.
"The desperate quest for survival in these harsh economic times has driven our people to extremes in their search for food, often at the cost of their lives.
"How do we explain that in a nation blessed with abundant resources, our people are dying of hunger in such numbers? How is it possible that we cannot feed our citizens despite the vast, fertile lands our nation is endowed with? My heart bleeds.”
Obi condoled the families of the victims.
IGP Orders Investigation
The Inspector General of Police (IG), Kayode Egbetokun also ordered the Commissioners of Police in the FCT, as well as Anambra, and Oyo states to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the tragic stampede in their respective commands that led to loss of lives.
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