Ooni of Ife reacts to Ibadan tragedy, defends ex-queen Naomi

• Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi expresses condolences to the families of the 35 victims who tragically lost their lives in the Ibadan stampede.
• Oba Ogunwusi defends his ex-wife, Naomi Silekunola, emphasizing her history of charitable work, particularly her commitment to children’s welfare and similar events organized during her time as queen in Osun State.
• The Ooni criticizes the sensationalization of the tragedy by some media outlets, calling for more responsible and professional reporting.
• Oba Ogunwusi stresses the need for strict safety measures and child welfare policies to prevent future tragedies at public events and in educational settings.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has expressed deep sympathy for the families affected by the tragic stampede during a funfair in Ibadan.

The incident, which took place at the Islamic High School, Basorun, during an event organized by the Wings Foundation led by the Ooni’s ex-wife, Naomi Silekunola resulted in 35 deaths and several injuries.

In a statement released on Thursday by his spokesperson, Moses Olafare, Oba Ogunwusi conveyed his condolences to the grieving families and the Oyo State Government.

He also extended his full support to Naomi, emphasizing her longstanding commitment to charitable causes, especially her care for children.

The monarch praised her efforts during her time as Queen of Osun State, where she organized similar events to support children from underprivileged backgrounds.

“We share in the grief and pains that have engulfed the affected families. We pray that Olodumare grants them the fortitude to bear this trying time, the statement read.

“While at the Ile Oodua here as a queen, Miss Naomi Silekuola Ogunseyi demonstrated love and care to the children of Ile-Ife through similar events which she executed passionately to give succour to children of indigent parents every December periods like this.

“The House of Oduduwa pledges to support all efforts aimed at bringing solace and healing to those affected by this devastating loss. The House of Oduduwa calls for immediate actions to prevent such unfortunate incidents in the future, emphasizing the need for rigorous adherence to safety standards and child welfare policies in educational institutions,” the statement read.

The monarch also condemned what he called the sensationalisation of the tragic incident and called for solemn reflection and collective responsibility of all citizens.

“While the situation calls for solemn reflection and collective responsibility, we would want to express dismay at the unprofessional conduct of some bloggers who have chosen to sensationalize the tragic incident rather than uphold journalistic integrity.

The House of Oduduwa encourages all stakeholders, from government officials to the media and citizens, to unite in compassion and constructive dialogue. Let us honour the memories of the departed by fostering a culture of care, respect, and accountability in our communities.”