As part of efforts to prevent tragic incidents and enhance public safety, the Oyo State House of Assembly has called on the Executive Arm of Government to regulate large public gatherings, particularly those involving 500 or more attendees.
This decision follows the devastating stampede that occurred at a private children’s funfair in Ibadan on December 18, 2024, which claimed multiple lives, most of them children.
The motion, titled “Need for the Executive Arm of Government to Regulate Large Public Gatherings to Ensure Safety and Prevent Tragic Incidents,” was moved by Hon. A.O. Babalola (Ibadan North-East 1) and co-sponsored by Rt. Hon. E.A. Ogundoyin (Ibarapa East), Speaker; Hons. S.A. Onaolapo (Ogbomoso South), Leader of the House and four other lawmakers.
The House during its legislative deliberation on Tuesday at the floor of the House, expressed deep sorrow over the Ibadan tragedy and commended the State Government for its prompt medical intervention for victims.
However, lawmakers stressed that beyond reactive measures, proactive governmental oversight and inter-agency collaboration are crucial to preventing similar occurrences.
They highlighted the importance of proper planning for large gatherings, including selecting appropriate venues, implementing crowd control strategies, and ensuring emergency preparedness.
The absence of these measures, they warned, significantly increases the likelihood of preventable disasters such as stampedes.
The lawmakers noted that stampedes at public events have become a growing national concern. They referenced two recent incidents on December 21, 2024:
“In Abuja, a stampede at a charity event held at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama led to the deaths of at least ten people, including children.
“On the same day, in Okija, Anambra State, a food distribution event turned tragic when a stampede resulted in 22 fatalities.”
The House maintained that these events necessitated the urgent need for government regulations to mitigate risks associated with large gatherings.
At the end of the deliberation, the House resolved to mandate safety approvals for large gatherings, enforce safety guidelines for event organizers, require special permits for events involving minors, strengthen law enforcement oversight, and also enhance legislative oversight.
With multiple states already witnessing similar incidents, the lawmakers urged governments at all levels to adopt proactive measures to safeguard public events and emphasized that ensuring the safety of citizens, particularly vulnerable groups such as children, should be a top priority.