society
Tragedy in Ibadan: Parents Grieve as Funfair Stampede Claims Lives of Many Children
Tragedy in Ibadan: Parents Grieve as Funfair Stampede Claims Lives of Many Children
A devastating stampede during a children’s funfair in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, has left many families shattered as an unconfirmed number of children lost their lives on Wednesday. Preliminary reports indicate that over 30 children may have perished, with many others sustaining injuries in the tragic incident.
The stampede occurred at Basorun Islamic High School, the venue for a privately organized funfair. Oyo State’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, confirmed the incident and stated that the state government had swiftly mobilized a rapid response team to handle the situation.
Victims were transported to various hospitals within the Ibadan metropolis for urgent medical care. Oyelade expressed appreciation to the Commissioner for Health, Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, for immediately deploying response teams to assist at the scene. “The state government will do all in its power to stand by the victims of this fateful incident during this trying period,” Oyelade stated.
The commissioner emphasized that the government was not involved in the planning of the event, nor was the Ministry of Health requested to provide logistical support. He stressed the importance of proper coordination when organizing large events, particularly those involving children and elders.
The exact number of casualties remains unclear as authorities await a detailed report from the Commissioner of Police. Concerned parents have been advised to visit the following hospitals with valid identification to locate their children:
- Patnas Hospital, Basorun
- Western Hospital, Basorun
- Ringroad State Hospital
- Molly Specialist Hospital
- University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan
Eyewitness accounts suggest that the stampede occurred as attendees, mostly children, tried to force their way through the main gate of the school. Sources revealed that the event was initially planned for 5,000 children, but over 7,500 showed up, overwhelming the organizers. Some parents and children reportedly spent the night at the venue in anticipation of the event.
An administrative officer at Patnas Hospital, Olufeyemi Tolulope, recounted the harrowing scenes: “Six children were brought in around 8 a.m. Four were confirmed dead, while two are currently receiving treatment. One has since been discharged, and the other is stable and recovering.”
The tragedy has left parents and families in deep anguish. A bereaved parent at one of the hospitals cried out, “I did not imagine this would happen. We were together yesterday, not knowing it would be the last time. My daughter cannot be dead. Doctor, please wake her up.”
Parents are now calling on the government to expedite the release of their children’s bodies for burial. At the University College Hospital, Ibadan, grief-stricken families mourned their losses, with many still seeking confirmation of their children’s fates.
The private organizers of the event have come under scrutiny for failing to manage the overwhelming turnout. The tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the need for meticulous planning and safety measures at large gatherings, particularly those involving vulnerable groups such as children.
As investigations continue, the government has urged the public to remain calm, assuring that comprehensive support will be provided to all affected families during this period of mourning.
society
Primate Ayodele Begins Annual 21-Day Thanksgiving With Visits to Members, Police Stations, Others
Primate Ayodele Begins Annual 21-Day Thanksgiving With Visits to Members, Police Stations, Others
The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has kicked off his annual 21-day Thanksgiving programme for 2026.
The 2026 edition of the three-week programme began on Monday, January 26, 2026, with visits to the homes of church members, especially those residing within the Lagos and Ogun States axis.
During the visits, Primate Ayodele shared personal moments with members, cracking jokes and praying with them. He also presented gifts, including cash and other material items.
Many of the members received him with joy and humility. Beyond visiting church members, he also financially and spiritually blessed people within their neighbourhoods.
On the second day, Tuesday, he visited more members in their homes and extended his visitations to public officials, including the Chairman of Ejigbo Local Government, as well as police stations, among others.
According to the prophet, his decision to personally visit church members in their homes is to show them how important they are to him and to celebrate them wholeheartedly. He explained that some members live in distant locations, and the annual Thanksgiving programme gives him the opportunity to know where they live and personally support them where necessary.
“This is a programme that is very personal to me. I am not a church leader who enjoys staying on the pulpit alone. I am not a pastor whom members only see on the altar. I love to relate with my church members because they are family to me. Apart from creating time to have one-on-one interactions with them after church services, I want to know them beyond the church, and this is why I engage in this annually.
“Some of them live far from the church. This gives me the opportunity to experience the sacrifices they make to render service to God and to support them according to my capacity.”
The programme will continue until Sunday, February 15, 2026, and several philanthropic activities are expected to take place before its conclusion.
society
Sponsored Plan To Embarrass Abeokuta North LGA Chairman By Councillors And Leaders Loyal To A Governorship Aspirant In Ogun Leaked
Sponsored Plan To Embarrass Abeokuta North LGA Chairman By Councillors And Leaders Loyal To A Governorship Aspirant In Ogun Leaked
A leaked plan by the Councilors in Abeokuta North Local Government Atea of Ogun State, working to embarrass the Executive Chairman of the Local Government, Hon Lanre Oyegbola-Sodipo, who has been adjudged the best performing Local Government Chairman because of his focus on development and the upliftment of the Council Area has been exposed.
The Chairman believed to have on several accounts shown capacity in policy implementation and the facilitation of projects through the available resources and private sector partnerships our reporter discovered Councillors within the Council are planning to embarrass in office.
Source within the council and amongst those working to hatch the plan have leaked the plan that is targeted at sometime before end of this week and towards the early days of next month.
A source who confided in our reporter and who is a serving Councilor mentioned that some leaders who are in the camp of a Governorship aspirant are not happy with the Chairman because he is seen as too loyal to the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun and that the party Chairman Alhaja Faidat Akintunde Sarumi is the one dictating all that happened within the Local Government.
He noted that their anger towards the chairman is that he didn’t send the “Owo Odun” and that he has not even shown any support for their own course.
Upon further probe, our reporter discovered that the councilors were disposed to the ploy because they are also looking at getting more money off the chairman of the council whom they believed should be giving them more than what they are getting at the moment.
The serving councilor who wouldn’t want his name mentioned revealed that the chairman has been trying and has done more than many other chairmen, he noted that the chairman gives them an amount on a monthly basis and allowed them to implement constituency project which has never happened before in the local government but that some of the councilors are acting on orders of their leaders and are hell bent on causing mayhem in the council.
He reiterated that although they had a discussion but not all of them are in full support of causing the disruption being planned.
It will become imperative that leaders within the local government, the Honorable Commissioner for Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Hon Ganiyu Hamzat and the Secretary to State Government Mr Tokunbo Talabi, the State Organising Secretary of the APC Hon Yemi Adelani and The Party Chairman Alhaja Faidat Akintunde Sarumi may have to step in to forestall a similar scenario as the events that led to serious disruption of local government activities in Ota Local Government, where the councilors suspended the chairman and went further to impeach him before the situation was redressed.
We are monitoring the developments and we shall keep updating the public.
Africa International Christian Film Festival (AICFF) Announces Debut Dates in Nigeria
Abuja, Nigeria — January 27, 2026
The Africa International Christian Film Festival (AICFF) has officially announced June 3–6, 2026 as the dates for its maiden edition, scheduled to hold in Abuja, Nigeria.
AICFF, a continental platform dedicated to amplifying Christian films from Africa and around the world, while strengthening production quality, professional training, distribution, and market access for faith-based content within Africa will shapen a new narrative in Christian based films.
The festival will feature: Film screenings from Africa and the global Christian film community;
Panel discussions and industry conversations;
Professional workshops and trainings;
A Christian Film Market connecting filmmakers with distributors, broadcasters, and platforms.
Speaking on the vision behind AICFF, the Festival Convener, Ambassador Bright Wonder Obasi, noted that the festival was created to serve as a gateway for global Christian films into Africa and a launchpad for African stories to reach the world.
AICFF also invites Christian filmmakers from Africa and across the world to submit feature films, documentaries, short films, animations, and faith-inspired content that reflect biblical values, excellence in storytelling, and cultural relevance.
Obasi also assured participants that the selected films will be showcased to:
International festival partners;
Broadcasters and Christian media networks;
Distributors and streaming platforms;
Industry leaders and faith-based institutions.
With Africa’s rapidly growing Christian population and creative economy, AICFF aims to position the continent as a recognized global hub for Christian cinema.
Submissions are now open via www.filmfreeway.com/AICFFA. With the deadline set for March 31, 2026.
For More on AICFF, contact Bright Wonder Obasi
Africa International Christian Film Festival (AICFF) |[email protected]
www.gosplecinemaint.com/AICFF
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