The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has criticised the arraignment and remand of philanthropist and former queen of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola, and others over the tragic deaths of 35 children in a stampede at a funfair last week in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

NANS stated that while the event was deeply unfortunate, the former queen should not be punished for her longstanding philanthropic activities.

Silekunola is one of three individuals brought before the Iyaganku Magistrates? Court in Ibadan in connection with the stampede. The court has ordered their remand on charges of conspiracy, negligent conduct causing damage, and failing to provide adequate security and medical services for the event.

However, the student body, in a statement signed by the Clerk of the Senate, NANS National Headquarters, Abdul-Yekinn Odunayo, on Thursday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, described the detention of the philanthropist as wrongful and unnecessary.

Odunayo argued that instead of making Silekunola a scapegoat for her kind gestures, the government, particularly at the federal level, should focus on addressing the hunger and poverty that are pervasive across the country.

He asserted that the fatal stampede could have been avoided if the government had tackled the dire economic conditions contributing to widespread hunger. He highlighted that Silekunola had successfully organised numerous outreach programmes over the past decade to assist the needy, elderly, children, and pregnant women without prior incidents.

The NANS Clerk of the Senate further stated: ?If the government blames the organisers for the deaths in the Ibadan stampede, then those responsible for food distribution in the FCT and Anambra, where similar stampedes led to fatalities, should also be prosecuted.?

Calling for the release of Silekunola and others facing trial, Odunayo noted that their continued detention could discourage other philanthropists and well-meaning individuals from extending help to the needy.

?Rather than holding Naomi and others solely responsible for the unfortunate deaths of children in Ibadan, the government should by now realise that hunger is a real issue in the country. The government is vicariously liable, having failed to revamp the economy and address poverty.

?Similar deaths in the FCT and Anambra have demonstrated that our government has failed in its duty to ensure food security for Nigerians. Or was it Naomi who organised the events in other locations? Why has the government not prosecuted the organisers in the FCT and Anambra State?

?NANS hereby calls for the release of the former Queen of Ife and others. Their continued detention will no doubt discourage others from philanthropy. We view the step taken by the Oyo State government as a volte-face and a subterfuge for its failure to address the issue of poverty and hunger plaguing Nigerians,? the statement concluded. (The Sun)

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