The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has extended his condolences to the families of children who lost their lives during a stampede at a funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Wednesday.
The tragic incident, which occurred at the Islamic High School in Basorun, claimed at least 35 lives, according to the Oyo State Police Command. The event, organized by the Wings Foundation—owned by the monarch’s former queen, Naomi Silekunola—led to the arrest of Silekunola and seven others for their involvement in the poorly managed event.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the monarch expressed deep sorrow over the loss and solidarity with the affected families. His spokesperson, Moses Olafare, emphasized the Ooni’s commitment to supporting efforts aimed at comforting those affected and preventing future occurrences.
“We share in the grief and pains that have engulfed the affected families. We pray that Olodumare grants them the fortitude to bear this trying time,” the Ooni said.
The monarch also defended the ex-queen, noting her history of organizing similar events for underprivileged children in Osun State during her tenure as queen.
While condemning the sensationalism surrounding the incident, the Ooni called for unity and constructive dialogue among stakeholders. He urged government officials, media practitioners, and citizens to foster a culture of care and accountability to honor the memory of the deceased.
The Ooni reiterated the importance of adhering to safety standards and implementing strict child welfare policies in public events to prevent similar tragedies.
