President Bola Tinubu has cancelled all his official events in Lagos scheduled for Saturday, including his attendance at the 2024 Lagos Boat Regatta, as a mark of respect for the victims of the recent stampedes in Abuja and Okija, Anambra State.
The President was initially set to watch the boat parade and other activities of the Boat Regatta from the waterfront of his Queen’s Drive residence in Ikoyi. However, in light of the tragic events, he has decided to cancel all his scheduled events for the day.
According to Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the decision was made to honour the victims of the stampedes, which claimed many lives and left several others injured.
Onanuga noted that the incidents at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, and a community Centre in Okija, Anambra State, bore a disturbing resemblance to the recent incident in Ibadan, Oyo State. He emphasized that local and state authorities must ensure that event planners adhere to necessary safeguards and protocols to prevent such tragedies in the future.
President Tinubu has prayed for the peaceful repose of the innocent Nigerians who lost their lives in the stampede and wished a quick recovery to those injured. He reiterated that such mishaps are avoidable if event planners prioritize safety and take necessary precautions.
