SAFEGUARDING NIGERIAN CHILDREN IN CROWDED GATHERINGS IS NOT NEGOTIABLE

The Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN) notes with shock the tragic event that took place at the Islamic High School, Ibadan on Wednesday 18th December 2024 during a children’s funfair. It was reported in the media that about 35 children died during a stampede and many others were severely injured. PAN commiserates with the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Oyo State Government and the affected families. Our deepest condolences go out to the families affected by this loss, and we stand in solidarity with them during this painful time. PAN also appreciates the prompt reaction of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to the tragic event and the presidential order to investigate the circumstances surrounding the event.

As Paediatricians and advocates for children, it is PAN’s responsibility to make a wake-up call, underscoring the urgent need for action to safeguard children in crowded environments. It is auspicious for PAN to make a statement on this unfortunate development as we are currently in a season of festivities and many more funfairs are likely to come up before the year runs out. While PAN does not claim to have the details of the happenstances that led to the tragic incident and without prejudice to the likely findings of the ordered investigations, PAN wishes to draw attention to the preventable nature of the Ibadan tragedy. Children funfairs are common global occurrences, especially during festivities. Children look forward to the wonderful experiences such gatherings offer and tend to exploit such opportunities to have fun to the maximum. In the process of their hyper-excitement, children tend to rush, they may wander if unsupervised, they are likely to under-assess the magnitude of risks, judge poorly and inadvertently take inappropriate decisions. These require that the environment must be specifically made child-friendly with adequate attention to safety and security. The Child Rights Act prescribes that children must be protected against harm. Therefore, it is the joint responsibility of policy makers and event organizers to make the venue of funfairs safe for children and be ready for emergencies. Attention must be paid to the capacity of the venue of funfair and the crowd expected and it is more important to plan crowd management ahead of all activities.

Preparedness is key to ensuring the safety of children at public events. Detailed and appropriate risk assessment must be done as part of the preparations. Event organizers should develop child-specific emergency response plans that include steps for evacuation, medical care, and reunification when children wander. The venues should be made child-friendly and equipped with child-sized medical  supplies and have trained personnel on hand to address emergencies involving children. In the event of a stampede, children must, by right, be the first to receive attention. First responder actions must be targeted at children. Therefore, specialized rescue teams trained to handle children in emergencies should be at the fore front of the operations to gather children for safe keeping and ensure that children who become separated from their caregivers can be quickly reunited. Clear communication systems are essential during emergencies. Event organizers should have loudspeakers, emergency messaging systems, and visible signage to direct children and caregivers to safety. This guidance can help prevent panic and ensure that everyone knows what to do in the face of a crisis.

The safety of children in crowded gatherings is a shared responsibility. Therefore, key stakeholders must work together to ensure child safety as follows:

Government: It is the responsibility of the government to implement and enforce policies that prioritize crowd safety. Governments should establish clear regulations on crowd control, venue capacity, and child safety in public gatherings. Mandatory approval following due risk assessment exercises should be institutionalized and appropriate sanctions prescribed for defaulters. 

Event Organizers: Planning events for children goes beyond music, foods, drinks and games. These stakeholders must adopt child-friendly practices, ensuring that safety measures are in place and that the environment is prepared for potential emergencies. This includes planning for safe evacuation, providing child-safe zones, and training staff on how to manage children’s safety.

The Paediatric Association of Nigeria stands ready to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders, including event organizers, caregivers, and policymakers, to develop and implement preventive measures, provide training on child safety, and shape policies that prioritize the protection of children. The association is committed to promoting child safety, providing expert advice, and working alongside other stakeholders to prevent future tragedies.

Conclusion
The Ibadan tragedy has reminded us of the risks that children face in crowded gatherings and the importance of taking proactive steps to protect them. Looking forward, PAN is hopeful that through collaborative efforts with the government, event organizers, parents and other stakeholders, we can ensure that such a tragedy never happens again. By prioritizing child safety, the lives of children in all public gatherings can be protected and future stampedes can be prevented.