Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has reiterated his commitment to ensuring that those responsible for the tragic stampede at Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, are held accountable.
The incident, which occurred during a Christmas funfair, claimed the lives of at least 35 children, leaving the community in shock.
Speaking at the 2025 Annual Inter-faith Service for state workers held at the Secretariat in Ibadan, Governor Makinde emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law in Oyo State, regardless of the social status of those involved.
“Even if nobody is held accountable elsewhere, in Oyo State, the rule of law will prevail,” he declared, responding to concerns about similar incidents in other states where no prosecutions occurred.
Makinde clarified that he had no objections to the suspects being granted bail, but stressed that the judicial process must run its course to ensure justice for the victims and their families.
“If you think you can grant bail pending trial, I have nothing against it. But the people must go on trial,” he asserted.
Reflecting on the tragedies of the previous year, the governor recounted the January 2024 explosion in Bodija and the recent stampede, both of which deeply affected the state. “May we never witness such tragedy again in Oyo State,” he said solemnly.
In addition to addressing the stampede, Governor Makinde also discussed the ongoing security challenges in the state, including the threat posed by bandits from northwestern regions.
He assured residents that his administration was working tirelessly to combat insecurity, highlighting a special operation targeting wrongdoers relocating to the state.
He urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, emphasizing that security is a collective responsibility.
Turning to workers’ welfare, the governor announced plans to finalize discussions on reviewing pension remuneration in line with the new minimum wage and consequential adjustments.
He assured state employees of his administration’s commitment to improving their welfare.
The Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni, lauded the governor for his worker-friendly policies, encouraging employees to remain diligent in their duties.
Goodwill messages from leaders, including the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, and state labor representatives, commended the governor’s initiatives and urged him to sustain his efforts to improve worker welfare.
