Kehinde Fajobi
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has announced the cancellation of his upcoming birthday celebrations in honour of the children who tragically died during Wednesday’s stampede in Ibadan.
Speaking on Friday in Ibadan, Makinde made this known while receiving a South-East delegation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by the Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara.
The delegation visited to express their condolences over the incident.
The stampede occurred during a children’s carnival at Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan, claiming the lives of 35 children. Makinde described the event as “painful, unfortunate, and preventable.”
“In light of this tragedy, I will not celebrate my birthday on December 25,” he said. “I will not go out; no birthday celebration this year.”
He thanked the South-East delegation for their visit, noting that they were the first group to offer their condolences.
“On behalf of the government and the people of Oyo State, we appreciate you for coming,” Makinde said.
Senator Wabara, speaking on behalf of the delegation, conveyed their sympathies to the people of Oyo State and the bereaved families.
“We, the people of the South-East, feel the pain of the sudden death of the 35 children. We pray that God grants you and the people of the state, particularly the parents of the victims, the fortitude to bear the loss,” Wabara said.
The delegation included notable figures such as former Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr Sam Egwu; former PDP National Secretary, Chief Ben Obi; PDP BOT member, Josephine Anenih; Chief Obasi Elebe; and Ebonyi PDP Chairman, Onyema Nwele.