The Palace of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has expressed profound sympathy to the families of the victims of a tragic stampede at a funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State, which claimed at least 35 lives, including children. The incident, which occurred at the Islamic High School, Basorun, has left the nation in mourning, with calls for accountability and stricter safety measures at public events.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the monarch’s spokesman, Moses Olafare, conveyed the Palace’s grief over the heartbreaking event. He offered prayers for the families affected, asking that Olodumare grant them strength during this difficult time.
The funfair, organized by Wings Foundation, a charitable organization linked to the former queen of the Ooni’s Palace, Naomi Ogunseyi, turned fatal when a stampede broke out. The ex-queen, along with seven others, has been arrested as investigations intensify. The case has been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku, under the leadership of a Deputy Commissioner of Police.
The Palace acknowledged the ex-queen’s previous efforts to support children and promote community welfare during her time as queen. Olafare noted that similar events had been successfully organized in Osun State, where her work was marked by passion and care for children, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds.
While expressing solidarity with the Oyo State government and mourning families, the Palace emphasized the need for collective responsibility and preventive measures. “The House of Oduduwa calls for immediate actions to prevent such unfortunate incidents in the future,” Olafare stated. “This includes rigorous adherence to safety standards and child welfare policies in all educational and public institutions.”
The tragedy has also highlighted concerns over media ethics. The Palace criticized what it described as the sensationalism of the event by some bloggers, urging them to prioritize journalistic integrity over clickbait headlines.
“This moment calls for solemn reflection and constructive dialogue,” Olafare added. “We must unite as a community to foster a culture of care, respect, and accountability, ensuring that such devastating losses are never repeated.”
The Ooni’s Palace pledged to support initiatives aimed at healing and supporting the grieving families, while urging all stakeholders to work together to build safer and more compassionate communities. The tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the need for vigilance, responsibility, and empathy in organizing events involving children and vulnerable groups.
