Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has expressed profound grief over the tragic stampede that claimed the lives of 35 children during a festive youth gathering in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In a statement issued on Thursday by hisSpecial Adviser on Media, Ismaila Isah, Governor Ododo extended his condolences to the families of the victims and the Oyo State government, describing the incident as a heartbreaking loss for the nation.
“I am deeply saddened by the stampede in Ibadan, which has tragically cut short the lives of 35 young and promising Nigerians.
“This tragedy, occurring during what should have been a joyful festive celebration, has instead brought unimaginable pain to families, especially mothers who have lost their children,” the Governor said.
Governor Ododo commiserated with the bereaved families, noting that the sorrowful scenes of mothers grieving their children’s untimely deaths underscored the need for urgent action to prevent such occurrences in the future.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the grieving families, the government, and the people of Oyo State during this challenging time. We must all work together to ensure such a tragedy does not repeat itself,” he added.
Highlighting the need for improved event management, Governor Ododo called for stricter crowd control measures and enhanced emergency response protocols at large gatherings, particularly during festive periods.
The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday at a High School in Ibadan, where over 5,000 young people had gathered for a youth festival.
Chaos broke out, leading to the deadly stampede that left dozens of families in mourning.
Governor Ododo’s heartfelt message joins the voices of many leaders across Nigeria calling for stronger safety measures to protect lives during public events.