*President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commiserates with the victims of unfortunate stampedes in Anambra State and Federal Capital Territory, urging states and other relevant authorities to enforce strict crowd control measures immediately

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has cancelled all his official events earlier scheduled for Saturday, December 21, 2024, including his attendance at the Lagos Boat Regatta, in honour of the stampede victims in Abuja, FCT, and Okija, Anambra State, South-East Nigeria.

绿帽献妻 reports the two tragedies that occurred in a community Centre, in Okija, in Anambra State, and the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, in Maitama, Abuja, claimed many lives, and left many others injured.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR

Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, who noted this in a statement at the weekend, said President Tinubu had been scheduled to watch the boat parade and other activities of the Boat Regatta from the waterfront of his Queen’s Drive residence, in Ikoyi, Lagos State.

Dignitaries, including top officials of the Lagos State Government and white cap chiefs from the State, were already seated when the President cancelled his appearance following briefings on the tragedies.

Commiserating with the victims of the unfortunate incidents in Anambra and the Federal Capital Territory, Tinubu urged states and relevant authorities to enforce strict crowd control measures immediately.

Onanuga stated President Tinubu further noted it was very disturbing that the events at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, in Maitama, Abuja, and a community Centre in Okija, Anambra State, bore a distressing resemblance to the recent incident in Ibadan, Oyo State.

He said local and state authorities should no longer tolerate operational lapses by organisations and corporate bodies involved in charitable and humanitarian activities.

While praying for the peaceful repose of innocent Nigerians who died in the stampede, President Tinubu wished a quick recovery to the injured.

The Nigerian leader restated that these mishaps are avoidable, if event planners adhere to necessary safeguards and protocols to ensure pre- and post-event safety.

President Tinubu said: ”In a season of joy and celebration, we grieve with fellow citizens mourning the painful losses of their loved ones.

Our prayers of divine comfort and healing are with them.鈥�

The President as well wished the Lagos State Government, organisers of the Boat Regatta, with the theme, ”Our Water, Our Heritage, Our Life鈥�, a successful and hitch-free festival.

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