The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, CCII, the umbrella body for all Ibadan indigenes, has advised organisers of public events to always put safety and security measures in place to prevent the loss of lives.
CCII noted that this is necessary to prevent a recurrence of the stampede that led to the loss of lives yesterday in the ancient city.
DAILY POST reports that many children reportedly lost their lives due to the stampede that occurred in Ibadan yesterday. Many of the children who were also injured are still receiving medical attention in different hospitals.
The incident occurred at a children’s carnival organised by Naomi Silekunola, an estranged wife of the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and was held at Islamic High School, Bashorun in Ibadan.
CCII, in a statement signed by its President-General, Chief Sulaimon Ajeniyi Ajewole, appealed to organisers of public events to always implement safety and security measures.
Ajewole, in the statement made available to DAILY POST on Thursday through the Publicity Secretary of the organisation, Kola Olomide, said that putting the necessary safety and security measures in place will help to prevent further loss of lives in the ancient city.
Ajewole also used the opportunity to commiserate with the victims and their families.
“The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, CCII, was disturbed by the avoidable calamity that occurred yesterday. We commiserate with the victims and their families.
“This incident occurred less than a year after several people died as a result of an explosion that rocked Ibadan.
“The explosion took place earlier this year, and the people affected are yet to recover from it. All these incidents can be avoided if we put safety measures in place.
“We want to advise all organisers of events involving large crowds to put all necessary safety and security measures in place to avoid such calamities.
“People will flock to places offering free things due to the acute nature of poverty, illiteracy, and ignorance in the country.
“We cannot continue this way. Any event of this nature will attract many people, especially because of the high level of poverty and other social problems in the country.
“What happened was a result of widespread poverty and hunger in the land. Governments at all levels should put necessary measures in place to reduce poverty to the bare minimum in the country.
“We also urge governments at all levels to implement policies aimed at reducing poverty in the country. This will help reduce the influx of people to events of this nature.”
Stampede: Put safety, security measures in place to prevent loss of lives – Ibadan indigenes tell organisers
