In the wake of a devastating tragedy at a children’s funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has extended her heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the loss of their children. The incident, which occurred on December 18, 2024, during a funfair at the Islamic High School in Bashorun, resulted in a tragic stampede that claimed the lives of multiple children, leaving many others injured.

In a statement released on December 19, 2024, First Lady Tinubu expressed deep sympathy for the families who lost their loved ones in the tragic event. She also wished a swift recovery to the children currently hospitalized due to the stampede. “I condole with the Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency Seyi Makinde, and the people of Oyo State on the tragedy that occurred,” she said, offering prayers for peace and healing.

The First Lady’s words of comfort came as the community grappled with the shock and grief following the incident. Reports suggest that the stampede occurred when attendees, mostly children, rushed to collect food and gifts, causing overcrowding and a lack of proper crowd control measures. The tragedy has sparked widespread concern about the safety protocols at such events, particularly those involving children.

As the community mourns, the Oyo State Government has responded swiftly. Authorities have detained the event’s primary organizers for questioning, and there are promises to hold all responsible parties accountable for the lapses that led to the incident. Governor Seyi Makinde expressed his shock and sadness over the incident, vowing that justice would be served and measures would be taken to prevent such tragedies in the future.

This heartbreaking event has not only left the families of the victims in mourning but has also raised serious questions about the safety of public events in Nigeria. As the state and the nation continue to process the tragedy, all eyes remain on the investigation to determine how such a disaster could have been avoided.