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The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has vowed that the organisers of the children’s funfair, which led to untimely death of 35 children in a stampede on December 18, 2024, at Islamic High School in Ibadan, will face trial.
Governor Makinde made this known during the annual interfaith service to herald the year 2025, held at the Secretariat, Ibadan.
Tribune Online reported that the organisers, which include ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, Prophetess Naomi Silekunola; owner of Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat; and Principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, Fasasi Abdullahi Babatunde, are remanded at the Agodi Custodial Centre.
Makinde, while speaking, revealed that he has been receiving calls from different people questioning why the organisers should not be allowed to go free.
“35 innocent souls were lost; we won’t see such again in Oyo State by God’s grace.
“Quite a number of people reached out to me, saying that this happened in Anambra and FCT and nobody went to jail. Why is it that in Oyo State, some people will go to jail? Oyo is not Anambra, and no matter how highly placed, justice must be done.
“The judiciary is here, after all; it’s in their court. If they think they can grant bail pending the trial, I don’t have anything against it, but they must go on trial.
“Even if the entire country decides not to follow the rule of law, Oyo State will dare to be different,” he concluded.
The Governor also at the event promised to meet with labour leaders during the week on the need to readjust monthly pension in line with new minimum wage scale.
The Governor assured that his administration would work out a sustainable framework to offset backlog of pensions and gratuities.
He acknowledged the cooperation of labour leaders and pledged to always reward hardwork.
Governor Makinde while acknowledging that consequential adjustment of state retirees was last reviewed in 2007, expressed readiness to review it for the benefit and survival of pensioners.
Governor Makinde who added that the state and local government are owing over 80 billion naira pension arrears, said there is need to revisit the contributory pension scheme.
In her address, Head of Service, Mrs Olubunbi Oni, said the worker friendly policies of Governor Makinde have brought positive changes and urged civil servants to reciprocate the gesture by exhibiting discipline, loyalty, honesty and hard work.
Highlights of the event attended by the Secretary, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Comrade Olusegun Abatan, were sermons from Muslim, Christian and traditional leaders.
Source: Tribune Online/WRT-UP
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