The Ooni of Ife’s Palace has expressed deep condolences to the families of the 35 children who tragically lost their lives at a funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State. In a statement issued on Thursday, the monarch’s spokesperson, Moses Olafare, extended sympathy to the grieving families, describing the incident as heartbreaking and praying for the fortitude to bear such an unimaginable loss.
The event, held at Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan, was organized by Wings Foundation, a charity reportedly owned by Naomi Ogunseyi, the former queen of the Ooni. What began as an event supposedly aimed at spreading joy turned into an unspeakable tragedy. The stampede has sparked outrage and prompted investigations, with the ex-queen and seven others now in police custody for their roles in the disastrous event.
According to the police, the case has been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department in Iyaganku, with a Deputy Commissioner of Police leading the investigation. This development has further intensified public interest, given the high-profile connection of those involved.
In a bid to balance accountability and compassion, the Palace extended solidarity to the ex-queen, describing her past efforts to support children in Ile-Ife.
“While at Ile Oodua as a queen, Naomi Ogunseyi demonstrated a genuine passion for helping children, organizing similar events in Osun State to provide relief for underprivileged families,” Olafare stated.
However, the Palace did not shy away from addressing the need for urgent reforms. It called on authorities to ensure rigorous adherence to safety measures at public events, especially those involving children. The statement emphasized that this tragedy should be a wake-up call for better regulation and enforcement of child welfare policies to prevent such horrifying incidents in the future.
While some persons called for unity and constructive dialogue, the Palace took a swipe at bloggers who have sensationalized the tragedy. “Instead of upholding journalistic integrity, some have chosen to exploit this grief for clicks and clout,” the spokesman noted, urging media professionals to handle the situation with respect and sensitivity.
Rumors swirling around the Ooni’s relationship with his former queen with speculations of lingering affection despite his current marital status. While these rumors may seem trivial compared to the gravity of the tragedy, they continue to generate unnecessary distraction from the critical issues at hand.
