Mrs. Funmilayo Ogunseyi, mother of Naomi Silekunola, the former queen of the Ooni of Ife, has recounted the harrowing experience her daughter endured following the tragic stampede that claimed the lives of 35 children in Ibadan.
Speaking during an interview with The Punch, she recounted the events leading up to the unfortunate incident.
Mrs Ogunseyi explained that on the morning of the event, around 6:30am, reports began pouring in about overcrowding at the venue. She was told that the premises were already filled with a massive crowd, and that some people were even throwing their children over the fence in desperation to gain entry into the premises.
When she was asked if she reached out to the palace of the Ooni of Ife over the matter, she said the palace is trying its best to save Prophetess Naomi from the ordeal.
She said, “I can’t answer that question directly because it is like a family matter. We’re still in-laws. So, I know the palace must have been trying its best to make sure everything is controlled amicably.”
Speaking further, she said, “We do not even need to tell him (Ooni of Ife) that he should do this because the person in question is the mother of the child to the Ooni of Ife.”
“So, I know he (Ooni of Ife) would not want his wife to be in prison. I want to believe he is trying his best to make sure she is not in prison.”