Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has announced that he will cancel his birthday celebrations in honour of the children who died during Wednesday’s stampede in Ibadan.
Makinde stated this in Ibadan on Friday while receiving the South-East delegation of the Peoples Democratic Party, led by its Board of Trustees Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara.
The delegation visited to condole with the governor over the early-morning stampede at the children’s carnival at Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan.
Makinde described the incident, which claimed the lives of 35 children, as painful, unfortunate, and preventable.
He stated that, in light of the tragedy, he would cancel his 25th December birthday celebrations and spend the day alone indoors.
“I will not go out; no birthday celebration this year,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to the BOT chairman and other party leaders for their visit, noting they were the first to offer condolences over the unfortunate incident.
“On behalf of the government and the people of Oyo State, we appreciate you for coming,” Makinde said.
Earlier, Wabara stated that the South-East party leaders were in Ibadan to commiserate with the governor and the people of Oyo State over the loss of lives in the stampede.
“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 a former Governor of Ebonyi, Dr Sam Egwu; former PDP National Secretary, Chief Ben Obi; and PDP BOT member, Josephine Anenih.
Other members were a PDP chieftain, Chief Obasi Elebe, and Ebonyi PDP chairman, Onyema Nwele.
