Tinubu Cancels Official Engagements to Mourn Abuja, Anambra Stampede Victims

President Tinubu halts official duties as a mark of respect for the victims of the tragic stampedes in Abuja and Anambra.

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

Tinubu was set to view the boat parade and other events of the Boat Regatta from his waterfront residence on Queen’s Drive in Ikoyi.

In a statement titled “President Tinubu Cancels Scheduled Events in Lagos to Honor Victims of Stampede in FCT, Anambra,” Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, disclosed this information on Saturday.

According to PUNCH Online, the two tragedies resulted in numerous fatalities and left many more people injured.

“In a time typically filled with joy and celebration, we stand in sorrow alongside our fellow citizens who are mourning the heartbreaking loss of their loved ones. Our prayers for divine comfort and healing accompany them,” said Tinubu.

Onanuga disclosed that distinguished guests, including senior officials from the Lagos State government and white cap chiefs of the State, were already in attendance when the President decided to cancel his appearance after being briefed on the tragedies.

Expressing sympathy for the victims of the incidents in Anambra and the Federal Capital Territory, Tinubu called on states and relevant authorities to immediately implement strict crowd control measures.

He observed that it was highly unsettling how the occurrences at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, and a community center in Okija, Anambra State, closely mirrored the recent event in Ibadan, Oyo State.

He stated that local and state authorities should no longer accept operational lapses by organizations and corporate bodies engaged in charitable and humanitarian work.

President Tinubu offered prayers for the peaceful repose of the innocent Nigerians who lost their lives in the stampede and extended his wishes for a swift recovery to those injured.

He emphasized that such mishaps can be prevented if event planners follow essential safety measures and protocols, both before and after the event.

The President also extended his best wishes to the Lagos State government and the organizers of the Boat Regatta, which carries the theme “Our Water, Our Heritage, Our Life,” hoping for a successful and smooth festival.

The decision to cancel follows just days after a tragic stampede in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, which resulted in the loss of 35 children’s lives.