President Bola Tinubu has canceled all his official Saturday events in Lagos, including the 2024 Lagos Boat Regatta, to honor the victims of tragic stampedes in Abuja and Okija, Anambra State.
According to presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, dignitaries—already seated at the waterfront of Tinubu’s Queen’s Drive residence in Ikoyi—were informed of the decision after the President received briefings on the incidents.
In extending his condolences to the victims, Tinubu urged states and relevant authorities to implement strict crowd control measures to avert such tragedies in the future.
He noted that it was very disturbing that the events at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, and a community Centre in Okija, Anambra State, bore a distressing resemblance to the recent incident in Ibadan, Oyo State.
He said local and state authorities should no longer tolerate operational lapses by organisations and corporate bodies involved in charitable and humanitarian activities.
While praying for the peaceful repose of innocent Nigerians who died in the stampede, President Tinubu wished a quick recovery to the injured.
He reiterated that these mishaps are avoidable if event planners adhere to necessary safeguards and protocols to ensure pre- and post-event safety.