President Bola Tinubu has called off all of his scheduled events in Lagos today in solidarity with the victims of stampedes in Anambra and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).The tragic incidents resulted in the deaths of 10 people, including children, at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, and at least 20 individuals from the Okija community in Anambra, during a rice distribution event on Saturday morning.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that despite dignitaries and senior officials being present at the event venue, the President made the decision to cancel his attendance after receiving updates on the tragedies.
Expressing his condolences, President Tinubu called for stricter crowd control measures by local authorities and organizations involved in public events. He emphasized that such tragedies, including similar incidents in Ibadan, Oyo State, were preventable if event planners adhered to safety protocols.
In his statement, President Tinubu extended his prayers for the souls of the victims, a swift recovery for the injured, and urged relevant authorities to ensure better operational standards for future events. He also wished the Lagos State government success in hosting the Boat Regatta, a major festival, which was set to take place in his absence.