The tragic loss of 35 children in what many described as a stampede has sparked outrage and grief across the nation, but Oluwaseyi Oyetunbi has redirected the blame, pointing to a deeper crisis hunger. In an impassioned statement, Oyetunbi lamented that while the law may convict the event organizers, the real culprit is the government’s failure to tackle widespread famine.
According to eyewitness reports, families camped overnight with their children, desperate to secure food from the charitable event. By morning, hunger and exhaustion had set in, compounding the chaos that ultimately led to the tragedy. This wasn’t about a stampede; this was a desperate cry for survival, Oyetunbi declared. These kids were killed by hunger, not Oriyomi and Naomi.
Studies highlight the devastating impact of hunger, not just physically but mentally. Hunger erodes brain function and drives people into survival mode, stripping away rational thought. The crowd at the venue mirrored this reality a congregation of starving individuals, fighting not for luxury but for sustenance. Bringing thousands of hungry people together without robust safety measures is akin to locking wild animals in a confined space with one meal,” Oyetunbi remarked. The result was predictable chaos.
Critics have questioned the organizers’ priorities, noting that while the intention to help was noble, safety protocols were glaringly inadequate. Funds spent on awareness campaigns might have been better directed toward ensuring the crowd’s safety. For the families grieving their irreplaceable losses, apologies feel hollow. “The law can punish the organizers for negligence, but it doesn’t erase the blood on the hands of those in power,” Oyetunbi emphasized.
The fury didn’t stop at the organizers. Oyetunbi directed searing criticism at government officials, naming Governor Seyi Makinde, President Bola Tinubu, and others as complicit. “These deaths are on every policymaker who has watched hunger spread and done nothing. This tragedy is the result of systemic neglect,” he charged. The statement reflects the growing sentiment among citizens who feel abandoned by those they elected to serve.
Hunger, Oyetunbi warns, is a ticking time bomb. “We are sitting on a gunpowder keg, and the government is pretending it isn’t there,” he said. The grieving families serve as a stark reminder of what happens when basic human needs are ignored. As the nation mourns, many are left questioning how many more lives must be lost before action is taken.
This tragedy isn’t just a call for justice it’s a demand for urgent reform. The government must wake up before the hunger crisis ignites an even greater disaster. For now, the cries of 35 lost children and their families echo as an indictment of a nation asleep at the wheel.
