- Safiu Kehinde
In the wake of the stampede incident which claimed several lives at a children’s funfair organized on Wednesday at Ibadan, Oyo state capital, the alleged organizer of the event, Agidigbo Radio Station, has cleared air surrounding the tragic event.
As against claims of being the organizer of the event held at Islamic High School, Bashorun area of Ibadan, the media outfit, in a statement issued on Wednesday evening by its Director of Programme, Olayinka AbdulWahab, dismissed the purported claims.
The event, according to AbdulWahab, was organized by WINGS Foundation with the radio station being one of the media outfits used for the promotion of the event.
Prior to the tragic incident which had former wife of the Ooni of Ife in attendance, the media outfit admitted to have been earlier notified about the mammoth crowd who reportedly assembled at the venue of the funfair before 5am.
In an effort to avert the disaster, AbdulWahab recounted how rounds of jingles and Public service Announcement were made by the station to inform the populace to stop going to the venue.
He also recalled how the event organizers had deployed security apparatus, medical officials, and other relevant agencies to come to the aid of those affected by this tragic event.
While expressing sadness over the incident, Agidigbo FM urged the general public to desist from the spread of the misinformation.
The statement read in part; “This is to inform the general public that the management of Agidigbo FM, Ibadan received the news of the tragedy that heralded the children fun fair at Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, organized by the WINGS foundation with great shock and wholeheartedly commiserate with the families involved.
“Amidst the tragedy, the news making the rounds says that Agidigbo FM, is the organizer of the children funfair, however, the management wishes to state that Agidigbo FM is not the organizer of the event but one of the media outfits used to promote the event.
“Upon receiving the notice that a mammoth crowd had assembled before 5 am this morning at the venue, Agidigbo FM, the people’s voice, use all media strategies to sensitize the populace with jingles and Public service Announcement, from that time that people should stop going to the venue of the funfair.
“The organizers of the event also did all they can to ensure that the tragedy was curtailed by deploying security apparatus, medical officials, and other relevant agencies to come to the aid of those affected by this tragic event.
“This a very sad day for us all, however, we call on the general public to shun the spread of fake news and contact Agidigbo FM, for more information.
“This is not the time to spread misinformation, the Management of Agidigbo FM, implore the general public to continue to pray for the speedy recovery of those in various hospitals and sympathise with the family of those who lost their lives.
“Thank you for your constant support. We pray to never experience any tragic experience.”