In a solemn gesture of respect for the victims of recent stampedes in Abuja and Okija, Anambra State, President Bola Tinubu has canceled all scheduled events in Lagos. Among the canceled activities was his anticipated attendance at the 2024 Lagos Boat Regatta, an annual cultural celebration showcasing boat parades and other festivities.
The tragedies, which occurred at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja, and a community center in Okija, claimed multiple lives and left many others injured. The stampedes also bear an unsettling resemblance to a similar incident that recently occurred in Ibadan, Oyo State.
President Tinubu was expected to watch the regatta from his residence on Queen’s Drive in Ikoyi. Dignitaries, including Lagos State officials and traditional white cap chiefs, had already gathered at the event when the President decided to withdraw his participation. He made this decision after receiving detailed briefings about the tragedies.
Expressing his condolences, the President issued a statement through his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, calling on state governments and event organizers to implement stricter crowd control measures.
He emphasized the need to avoid such preventable disasters, urging organizations involved in charitable activities to prioritize safety protocols at their events.
“In a season of joy and celebration, we grieve with fellow citizens mourning the painful losses of their loved ones. Our prayers of divine comfort and healing are with them,” the President stated.
