Ibadan Stampede: Oyo CPN Identifies Solutions To Avert Recurrence • Calls For Independent C’ttee Of Inquiry
Stakeholders in the advocacy for child protection under the Child Protection Network, CPN, Oyo have identified the need for government to put stringent measures in place to avert the recurrence of stampedes from events involving large gatherings.
They made this known while speaking with journalists in Ibadan in reaction to the December, 18 2024 children funfair stampede at Islamic High School, Bashorun Ibadan.
The Oyo state coordinator, Child Protection Network, CPN, Dr Rosemary Odigbo who commiserated with the families of the victims highlighted the need for pre-registration of beneficiaries, involvement of relevant groups in selection of beneficiaries, decentralization of distribution locations, quality safety protocols and crowd control.
While calling for the establishment of an independent committee of enquiry to investigate the incidence, Dr. Odigbo advocated for the establishment of guidelines that must be met by any individual or organization before large gatherings..
She said “An independent committee should be established to investigate the causes of the stampede. Their focus will include examining event planning, crowd control measures, and safety protocols.
“Findings from the investigation should be made public and measures put in place to prevent a recurrence of such tragedies.
“Expanding distribution sites across the city to decentralize gatherings. Separate queues or dedicated time slots for pregnant women, the elderly, and children to ensure their safety during events.”
She said government must urgently prioritize child safety policies, food security, community farming, food bank initiative and sustainable food system as a long term solution.
Also speaking, an orphanage operator, Mrs Kehinde Aiyeola said good intensions of philanthropists might be fruitless if proper planning and management of events are not prioritize.
In her contribution, a child right advocate, Mrs Ibukunoluwa Otesile who said Nigerians should begin to take priority in issues surrounding child protection, called for immediate creation of emergency management education in schools to mitigate the impact of any possible incidences.
Mrs Otesile also called on the Oyo state House of assembly to urgently make laws and legislative interventions on large gatherings to prevent future recurrence.
In his contribution, an executive of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria, Oyo state, Dr Lateefat Dairo, said the advocacy was not to put the blame on any party involved in the Ibadan stampede but for Nigerians to imbibe the values of orderliness and contentment in such situations.
