Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has canceled his birthday celebrations to honor the 35 children who tragically lost their lives in a stampede at a children's funfair in Ibadan, the state capital.

The governor made this announcement on Friday during a meeting with a South-East delegation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Senator Adolphus Wabara, Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT).

Describing the incident as "painful, unfortunate, and preventable," Governor Makinde expressed profound sorrow for the loss of young lives. He revealed plans to observe his December 25th birthday in solitude, as a sign of solidarity with the grieving families and to reflect on the tragic event. "It is a day that is really sobering for me personally," he stated. "I have decided to cancel all celebrations, stay indoors, and mark the day in quiet reflection."

Governor Makinde also reflected on the challenges faced by Oyo State in 2024, including the devastating Bodija explosion. Despite these hardships, he thanked the PDP delegation and other well-wishers for their unwavering support, which has strengthened his resolve to continue serving the people of Oyo State through these trying times.