The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has decided to forgo his birthday celebration to pay his respect to the children who tragically lost their lives in a stampede at a children’s funfair in Ibadan, the state capital.
The governor made this announcement on Friday in Ibadan while hosting a delegation from the South-East of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), headed by the party’s Board of Trustees Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara.
He characterized the incident, which resulted in the deaths of 35 children, as deeply sorrowful, regrettable, and preventable.
He further stated that he would cancel his birthday festivities scheduled for December 25th and instead spend the day in solitude.
“It is a day that is really sobering for me personally. Not only did I cancel the event in Ebonyi, I told everyone that I would stay indoors on my birthday. There is no party; I have sent the message out.
“It has been a difficult year, really. Early in the year, we had the Bodija explosion. We managed through quite a bit. But we are strengthened by the show of support for us, to let us know that we are not alone in facing all of these,” the Governor said.
The governor 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.
“So, on behalf of the government and the people of Oyo State, we want to appreciate you for coming to commiserate with us and to let us know we are not alone,” he said.
Those in the South-East PDP delegation also include a former governor of Ebonyi State, Dr Sam Egwu; a former National Secretary of the PDP, Senator Ben Obi; a former National Woman Leader of the PDP, Iyom Josephine Anenih; new National Secretary of the PDP, Chief SKE Udeokoye; PDP National Vice Chairman (South-East), Chief Ali Odefa; Chief Obasi Elebi and the Ebonyi State PDP chairman, Chief Onyema Nwele.
