Renowned legal expert Barrister Gabriel Uduafi has supported President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s assertion that the recent fatal stampedes in Ibadan, Anambra, and Abuja resulted from the negligence of the organizers. Uduafi made this statement during a paper review show on 89.7 Eko FM earlier today while analyzing the president’s remarks during his maiden Presidential Media Chat on Monday.
According to Uduafi, charity initiatives should prioritize discretion and avoid media publicity to prevent chaos. “Charity is religious and should not involve the media. When information about giveaways is disseminated through media channels, it ceases to be charity and becomes a showbiz event,” he said.
He further emphasized the need for a quiet and organized approach to giving. “The best charity is to give to the needy unawares. Palliatives can be distributed from one street to another in a peaceful and orderly manner. But when media announcements are involved, ungodly activities such as stampedes and other crises are inevitable,” Uduafi noted.
The seasoned lawyer suggested that only government agencies and large corporate organizations with adequate security capacity should publicize charity programs through the media. He advised private individuals to conduct charitable acts in a religious and modest manner, devoid of media participation. “Charity should not be organized like a showbiz event but carried out with sincerity and free will,” he added.
Tinubu’s Perspective on the Stampedes
During the Presidential Media Chat held in Lagos on Monday, President Tinubu expressed sadness over the tragic stampedes that claimed over 60 lives across three cities. He blamed the organizers for their poor planning, describing the incidents as “a very grave error.”
The president specifically referenced the deaths of 35 people, mostly children, at a carnival in Ibadan; 22 individuals at a palliative-sharing event in Okija, Anambra State; and 10 others at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Abuja. He criticized the lack of organization and discipline among both the organizers and participants, attributing the chaos to societal flaws.
“Well, are we looking at it from the organizers’ point of view or the goodwill gesture of those trying to give? Sadly, people are not well organized. We just have to be more disciplined in our society,” Tinubu stated.
Drawing from his own experience of over 25 years of distributing food items and cash at his Lagos residence, Tinubu noted that proper planning and discipline are key to avoiding such incidents. “I have never experienced this kind of incident because we are organized, cultured, and disciplined,” he said.
The president also extended condolences to the bereaved families, stating, “My condolences to those who lost a family member. It is good to give, but it must be done responsibly.”
Comparing the stampedes to chaotic scenes at bus stops, Tinubu urged Nigerians to embrace orderliness and learn from their mistakes. “In every society, even in America and Britain, they have food banks and warehouses, but they are organized. It is unfortunate, but we must continue to improve,” he reiterated.
A Call for Responsible Giving
Echoing Tinubu’s sentiments, Uduafi stressed that responsible charity must be devoid of fanfare. He argued that publicized charity events without proper planning jeopardize the lives of those they aim to help.
“Charity is not about making headlines; it is about helping humanity quietly and effectively,” Uduafi emphasized. He called on organizers to adopt disciplined and structured approaches to charity, ensuring safety and dignity for all beneficiaries.
This news story reflects the growing discourse around the need for reform in the planning and execution of charitable initiatives across Nigeria.
