Gov Seyi Makinde
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has stated that justice must be served following the demise of 35 children during the stampede that occurred at a Children’s funfair in Ibadan on December 11, 2024.
The children d!ed in a stampede at a Christmas charity programme sponsored by Prophetess Naomi Ogunseyi, ex-wife of Ooni of Ife, that held at the Islamic High School venue of the funfair at Bashorun in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. An Ibadan-based broadcaster and philanthropist, Oriyomi Hamzat, also partnered in the funfair.
Both Prophetess Naomi, Hamzat, alongside the principal of the school, have been remanded in Prison custody over the incident.
Reacting to the development, Governor Makinde said;
“Quite unfortunate, some innocent lives were lost, some of them future investors; future president or governors may be among them. And I listened to people saying Governor knows Oriyomi (Hamzat) and nothing will happen to them and I said to myself they probably don’t know who their governor is, because I’ve got so much pleadings to temper justice with mercy. But we’ll get to that point. If my own children were part of those that died, I would be saying something totally different and no life is bigger than any other life.”
Makinde cited a time when a life insurance policy was proposed and that it designated his life as more important than that of his car driver.
“The life of my driver, is it inferior to my own life for him to deserve regular policy and I a premium policy – when it is life and death? I did not approve the proposal, rather, I said if it’s the regular that everyone deserved, let it be for everyone. When it comes to life and even before God, we’re equal.
It’s easier for people to say these are the people that you know, but what about the 35 persons that d!ed? Don’t they also deserve some justice?”
Makinde, however, added that anyone found guilty would not be freed, and the innocent would not be condemned under his watch.