President Tinubu Cancels Lagos Engagements to Mourn Stampede Victims

President Bola Tinubu has canceled all his official engagements in Lagos, including his scheduled attendance at the 2024 Lagos Boat Regatta, to honor the victims of tragic stampedes in Abuja and Okija, Anambra State.

The twin tragedies, which claimed several lives and left many injured, prompted the president to forgo the regatta’s festivities, initially planned to be viewed from the waterfront of his Queen’s Drive residence in Ikoyi. This announcement was made by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday.

Call for Crowd Control Measures

In a statement, President Tinubu expressed deep sorrow over the incidents at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, and a community center in Okija, describing them as distressingly similar to a recent stampede in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The president urged state and local authorities to enforce strict crowd control measures to prevent such disasters. He also criticized the lapses in safety protocols by organizations involved in charitable and humanitarian activities, stressing that such operational failures should no longer be tolerated.

A Message of Condolence

President Tinubu extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, praying for the peaceful repose of those who lost their lives and wishing a swift recovery for the injured.

“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,” Tinubu stated.

Ensuring Safety at Events

Reiterating that these mishaps were preventable, the president called for adherence to safety protocols to ensure the well-being of attendees at public events.

While commending the Lagos State Government and the organizers of the regatta for their efforts, Tinubu wished them a successful event despite his absence. The regatta, themed “Our Water, Our Heritage, Our Life,” aims to celebrate Lagos’ rich aquatic culture.