President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident at a Children’s Funfair in Ibadan, which claimed the lives of 35 children and left six others critically injured.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the President extended heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Oyo State, as well as to the families grieving the loss of their loved ones.
Acknowledging the pain and devastation caused by the tragedy, President Tinubu called for a thorough investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident.
He instructed relevant authorities to determine if negligence or deliberate actions played a role, vowing to ensure transparency and accountability throughout the process.
The President also urged the Oyo State Government to implement stringent measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future. He recommended a comprehensive review of safety protocols for public events, strict enforcement of safety regulations, and regular audits of event venues to safeguard lives.
The statement reads:
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed profound sadness over the tragic incident at the Children’s Funfair in Ibadan, which resulted in the loss of innocent lives and left many injured. The President stands in solidarity with the affected families and prays for the Almighty God to grant peace to the departed souls.”
The President emphasized the critical importance of prioritizing children’s safety at all public gatherings. He urged event organizers to adopt professional security, logistics, and safety protocols to prevent future tragedies.
“Our children’s safety and well-being remain paramount. No event should ever compromise their lives,” President Tinubu stated.
The tragic event occurred at the Islamic High School in Basorun, Ibadan, where over 7,500 children attended a funfair organized by Wings Foundation in collaboration with Agidigbo FM. The turnout exceeded the venue’s expected capacity of 5,000, leading to the unfortunate incident.