President Bola Tinubu has made the decision to cancel all of his official engagements in Lagos scheduled for Saturday, including his much-anticipated appearance at the 2024 Lagos Boat Regatta, in solidarity with the victims of recent stampedes in Abuja and Okija, Anambra State.
Originally set to witness the boat parade and festivities from the waterfront of his Queen's Drive residence in Ikoyi, President Tinubu chose to honor those affected by these tragic incidents instead. This decision came after receiving updates on the events, which prompted a reassessment of the day’s activities.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed deep sorrow for the victims of the stampedes in the Federal Capital Territory and Anambra State. The statement, titled "President Tinubu Cancels Scheduled Events in Lagos in Honor of Victims of Stampedes in FCT and Anambra," conveyed the President's condolences.
“While this should be a time for celebration, we share in the grief of those who have lost loved ones,” President Tinubu stated. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and communities affected. We ask for divine comfort for them during this painful time."
The President's cancellation came just as top officials of the Lagos State government and local dignitaries, including white cap chiefs from the region, were preparing to host the President. Their presence at the event marked the importance of the occasion, yet the gravity of the tragic stampede incidents shifted priorities.
The tragedies occurred in the context of a stampede during an event at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, and another at a community center in Okija, Anambra. These incidents left several dead and many more injured. In his statement, Tinubu highlighted the disturbing trend of crowd management failures, drawing parallels to a similar incident earlier this year in Ibadan, Oyo State, where 35 children lost their lives in a stampede. The President called on authorities at all levels to immediately implement stronger crowd control measures at public gatherings to prevent such tragedies in the future.
"The loss of lives due to poor planning and crowd management is unacceptable," Tinubu remarked. "Local governments, event organizers, and authorities must take immediate action to ensure the safety of citizens at public events. These tragedies could have been prevented if proper protocols were followed."
The President also extended his heartfelt prayers for the souls of those who perished and wished the injured a swift recovery. Furthermore, he reiterated that ensuring the safety of citizens at public events was a shared responsibility that required careful coordination between event planners, local governments, and security agencies.
Despite the cancellations, President Tinubu expressed his support for the Lagos State government and the organizers of the Boat Regatta, which celebrates the state's rich maritime heritage. The theme of this year’s festival, "Our Water, Our Heritage, Our Life," is expected to carry on as planned, with the hope of a smooth and successful celebration in the future.
