Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, yesterday, charged event planners and organisations to always work with the government while planning charity gestures for a hitch-free outing.

He gave the charge during his courtesy visit to the office of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde. Abiodun, however, commiserated with Makinde over last Wednesday’s stampede where over 30 persons lost their lives to the incident.

Ogun State governor, while sympathising with the bereaved and Oyo State government over the incident, said event planners should work with the government for proper security and execution.

Responding, Makinde appreciated the visiting governor, saying that his administration is ready to adopt tractorisation measures and policies put in place in Ogun State for more food sufficiency.

ALSO, a professional group, Omituntun Initiative in the Diaspora (OID), has commiserated with the Oyo State government and families of the victims of the tragic stampede.

According to a statement signed and made available by its Spokesperson, Ayotomiwa Adebayo, the group described the incident as unfortunate and avoidable. Also, the Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ibadan (Anglican Communion), Most Revd. Williams Aladekugbe has commiserated with victims and families of those who lost their loved ones in the various stampedes that happened in different parts of the country last week.

Aladekugbe, who noted that the incidents are highly avoidable, called on the government at all levels to do more in addressing hunger and poverty, which he described as the root causes of the incidents.

The cleric stated this in a message he signed yesterday. He lamented the spate of stampedes and lives lost during food distribution, saying the developments underscored the rising hunger and economic hardship that has engulfed the nation.

Aladekugbe said: “We commiserate with the families who lost their members across the country owing to stampede during food distribution. These needless deaths underscore the rising hunger and economic hardship that has engulfed the nation. This is an indictment of the systemic failure of our government, which needs urgent attention.

“Government at all levels should address the root causes of hunger and poverty. Failure to act decisively now will deepen the crisis, with devastating social, economic, and political consequences.”