Makinde cancels birthday celebrations over Ibadan funfair stampede

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has cancelled his birthday celebrations slated for December 25 in honour of the children who died during Wednesday’s funfair stampede in Ibadan, the state capital.

Makinde made this known while receiving the South-East delegation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by its Board of Trustees (BOT) Chairman, Sen. Adolphus Wabara, in Ibadan on Friday, December 20, 2024.

The delegation came to condole with the governor over the stampede at the children’s funfair at Islamic High School, Basorun in Ibadan.

Makinde described the incident, which claimed the lives of 40 children, as painful, unfortunate, and preventable.

He said due to the incident, he would have to put off his December 25th birthday celebrations and remain indoors.

“I will not go out; no birthday celebration this year,” Makinde declared.

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He appreciated the PDP BOT chairman and other party leaders for the visit, saying they were the first to pay him a condolence visit over the incident.

“On behalf of the government and the people of Oyo State, we appreciate you for coming,” Makinde said.

Speaking, Wabara said the South-East leaders of the PDP were in Ibadan to commiserate with the governor and the people of Oyo State over the loss of lives in the stampede.

Wabara said: “We, the people of South-East, feel the pain of the sudden death of the 35 children.

“We pray God to grant you and the people of the state, particularly the parents of the victims, the fortitude to bear the loss.”

The Star