In the vibrant city of Ibadan, known for its warmth and spirited community, a heart-wrenching tragedy has cast a shadow over the festive season.
A victim of the tragedy, Mrs. Adijat Adewumi, affectionately known as Iya Ola, faces unimaginable grief after losing her two children in a stampede at the 2024 End of the Year Children Funfair. Her story is one of love, loss, and the haunting weight of unheeded warnings.
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Sitting in her modest home in an interview with Sunday Vanguard, Mrs. Adewumi recounted the days leading up to that fateful event, her voice laden with sorrow.
“Just a few days before the funfair, I received a vision from a pastor of a white garment church, a man I had never met. He urged me to observe three days of fasting and prayer. I didn’t think much of it at the time; I thought it was just a spiritual exercise, not a warning of the tragedy that awaited me”, she recounted.
The funfair, organised by Queen Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, was a beacon of hope for many families in the area. For Mrs. Adewumi, it represented an escape from the harsh realities of life, especially in such difficult economic times.
“I learnt about the event through Alhaji Oriyomi Hazmat’s popular programme. It felt like a chance for my children to enjoy themselves, to forget about our struggles, even if just for a day,” she explained, her voice tinged with regret.
“I wanted to see their joy, to let them experience the magic of the fair. However, as they approached the entrance, chaos erupted. I had to push my way through the crowd, ensuring my children got in first. I wanted them to enjoy every moment. But as the gates swung open, a tidal wave of people surged forward, overwhelming the entrance.
“I felt a sense of dread wash over me,” she said, her voice trembling. “I lost sight of my children in an instant. I started calling their names, but the noise was deafening. The pain is indescribable. It’s like losing a part of my soul.”
In those terrifying moments, the realisation of her spiritual warning came crashing down upon her like a thunderstorm, saying: “If only I had listened more closely. If only I had understood that this was a warning.
“I am a Muslim, but I believe God speaks to us in different ways. I wish I had been more vigilant and responsive to that call,” she lamented
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