Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has cancelled his birthday celebration schedules for December 25, 2024 as a mark of respect for the children who lost their lives in a stampede during a children funfair in Ibadan, the state capital, on Wednesday.
The governor announced this while receiving condolences from the South-East leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who visited him at his office to sympathise over the incident.
Recall that an early morning stampede at Islamic High School Bashorun Ibadan led to the deaths of 40 children with many left injured.
Daily Trust had reported that Queen Naomi Silekunola and eight others have been detained by the police to investigate the circumstances leading to the unfortunate incident.
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Receiving the delegation of the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), South-East zone, led by the former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, Governor Makinde described the period as a “moment of sobering.”
He expressed regrets that the tragic stampede was avoidable.
While appreciating the condolence visit, Governor Makinde noted that the people of the state were strengthened by the show of support.
Earlier in his condolence message on behalf of the PDP South-East zone, Wabara described the incident as unfortunate, most especially during the yuletide period.
Senator Wabara, who charged the people of the state and the affected families to take solace in God, beseeched God to grant the parents of the deceased the fortitude to bear the irreparable losses.
A minute of silence was also observed in honour of the departed souls.
The South-East zone of the PDP had earlier announced the birthday celebration organised in honour of Makinde in Ebonyi State on Thursday.
Among the delegates of the PDP South-East was former Governor of Ebonyi State, Senator Sam Egwu.
A former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, joined Governor Makinde in welcoming the guests.
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