President Bola Tinubu has canceled all his scheduled events in Lagos, including the 2024 Lagos Boat Regatta, to honor the victims of tragic stampedes in Abuja and Okija, Anambra State.
The incidents claimed multiple lives and left several others injured.
The President was expected to attend the Lagos Boat Regatta from his residence on Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi, where he was to witness a parade of boats and other activities. However, he withdrew from the event after being briefed on the disasters.
Among the audience awaiting his arrival were senior Lagos State officials and white cap chiefs.
In a statement by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and called for immediate enforcement of strict crowd management measures by local authorities. “These tragedies bear a disturbing resemblance to the recent incident in Ibadan, Oyo State, and highlight a worrying pattern,” he remarked.
The President emphasized the importance of operational diligence during public gatherings, especially those organized by charitable and humanitarian groups. “Local and state authorities must ensure that event organizers adhere to strict safety protocols to prevent avoidable disasters,” he said.
Offering prayers for the victims, Tinubu expressed his hope for the recovery of the injured and comfort for grieving families. “In this season of celebration, we share in the sorrow of our fellow citizens mourning the loss of loved ones,” he said.
President Tinubu also extended his best wishes to the Lagos State government and the organizers of the Regatta, themed ‘Our Water, Our Heritage, Our Life,’ for a successful and incident-free festival.
