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One year after the tragic children’s funfair incident that shook Ibadan, Oyo State, Prophetess Naomi Silekunola, founder of the WINGS Foundation, has marked the anniversary by reaching out to families who lost their children in the devastating event.
On Tuesday, the prophetess visited several of the affected households alongside members of her foundation, an organisation dedicated to supporting women and children. The visit, which coincided exactly with the one-year remembrance of the tragedy, was aimed at offering comfort, prayers, and material support to families still grieving their losses.
In a video from the visit obtained on Saturday, Silekunola explained that the outreach was intentional and symbolic, noting that the pain of the incident remains close to her heart. According to her, the visit was not only to sympathise with the families but also to remind them that they are not forgotten.
She revealed that rather than proceeding with a regular celebratory event this year, the children’s funfair was restructured as a memorial in honour of the young lives that were lost. She added that the tragic experience has not stopped her from pursuing what she described as her divine assignment to care for children and families.
Speaking emotionally during the visit, Silekunola addressed the bereaved parents with words of encouragement and faith as she distributed support materials. She urged them not to allow the tragedy to define the rest of their lives.
“Sometimes God does things, and we are happy; other times, we are not, and we begin to question whether it is God who has done it. I did not come to make you sad. I pray that this time next year, you will not remember anything of sadness. You will witness joy, and this unfortunate incident will no longer define your lives,” she said.
The atmosphere during the visit was solemn, with many parents visibly emotional as prayers were offered in remembrance of the children. For some families, the gathering represented another step in their journey toward healing and acceptance.
One of the parents who spoke during the visit reflected on the strength they have drawn from their faith since the incident. According to the parent, the families did not gather with expectations of material gain but out of respect and shared grief.
“God is greater than man, and there is nothing He cannot do. We did not come here for anything, but when someone is honoured, the honour should be reciprocated,” the parent said.
The Ibadan funfair tragedy occurred in 2024 when a stampede broke out during a children-focused event, resulting in the deaths of several minors and leaving others injured. The incident sparked nationwide outrage and grief, with many Nigerians calling for accountability and improved safety standards at public gatherings involving children.
The event was organised by Prophetess Naomi Silekunola in collaboration with Ibadan-based broadcaster Oriyomi Hamzat. The Principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Abdullahi Fasasi, was also linked to the organisation of the programme, as the venue was connected to the school.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the Oyo State Government initiated legal action against the organisers. In January 2025, an 18-count criminal charge was filed against Silekunola, Hamzat, and Fasasi. Prior to that, the trio had been remanded at the Agodi Correctional Centre in December 2024 before being granted bail in January 2025.
However, the legal case took a new turn in March 2025 when the charges were eventually dismissed, bringing an end to the courtroom phase of the matter.
Despite the legal resolution, the emotional impact of the incident continues to linger for the affected families. Silekunola’s one-year remembrance visit appears to be an attempt to acknowledge that pain and reaffirm her commitment to supporting children and families, even in the shadow of a tragedy that altered many lives forever.
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