The executive board of trustees of the Centre for Justice, Mercy, and Reconciliation (CJMR), has appealed to the Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, to embrace other means in dealing with the fallout of Ibadan stampede involving with Prophetess Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi, the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife and Oriyomi Hamzart, the founder of Agidigbo radio station, pleading for restorative justice.
CJMR in a letter signed by its Executive Director, Pastor Hezekiah Deboboye Olujobi, pleaded with Governor Makinde to rather than pursue punitive measures, embrace the path of restorative justice and peace, considering the contributions of those involved to the society in the past, adding that their good deeds should not be overshadowed by the tragic event.
“In the wake of such a tragedy, it is natural for emotions to run high and for many to seek explanations for the events that transpired. However, we urge everyone to consider this incident through a lens of reason and compassion. While it is easy to attribute such occurrences to supernatural causes or carelessness, doing so does not provide solace or clarity. Instead, it is crucial to recognize that stampedes are unfortunate events that can happen anywhere in the world, often triggered by panic, overcrowding and inadequate crowd management.
“We have gathered reliable information indicating that Prophetess Naomi Silekunola has successfully held similar programs in various locations in Nigeria over the past five years without incident. This suggests that this tragedy was an isolated occurrence rather than a reflection of any malicious intent. We have seen similar tragedies globally, such as the recent stampede at a concert in London, which serves as a reminder that these events can occur in any context, often due to factors beyond the control of the organizers.
“It is essential to approach this situation with a mindset focused on accountability and improvement rather than blame. The tragic loss of life was not a result of intentional harm but rather highlights the need for improved crowd management and safety protocols. As we reflect on this incident, let us emphasize the importance of proper planning and safety measures for future events. Managing large crowds requires strict crowd control, emergency protocols, and decentralized distribution methods to ensure the safety of all attendees.
“In light of these considerations, we, the members of the Centre for Justice, Mercy, and Reconciliation, hereby appeal to Your Excellency, as the Executive Governor of Oyo State and the father of all, and to the families affected by this unfortunate incident, to reconsider the legal actions taken against Alhaji Hamsat Oriyomi, Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, and the Principal of the school involved.
“Rather, we can learn from this experience and work together to prevent future occurrences. Let us focus on healing, understanding, and implementing the necessary measures to ensure the safety of our community in future events. Together, we can transform this tragedy into a catalyst for positive change. We humbly implore Your Excellency to explore possible means of peaceful resolution to this matter rather than litigation, and we also urge you to decline any advice to prosecute these individuals without a just cause,” CJMR stated.
The organization also expressed its willingness to intervene in the matter to ensure restorative justice which will not be limited to the organisers alone but also to the bereaved families, adding that “we need your representative in this initiative if you deem it worthy and necessary. This will demonstrate how much you care for the people.”
Attached to the letter was a copy of the strategy to be used to foster a peaceful approach to resolving this matter. The strategies include radio announcements, dialogue with family, home visits, support network and collaboration, reporting to the governor, engagement with legal authorities and stakeholders.
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