More stakeholders have expressed grief over the tragic deaths caused by a stampede during a Christmas rice-sharing event in Okija, Anambra, on Saturday.
The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that in their condolence messages, stakeholders emphasised the need for economic empowerment to foster self-reliance among citizens and urged event organisers to prioritise safety during public gatherings.
The Police Command in Anambra, through SP Tochukwu Ikenga, its Public Relations Officer, has confirmed the casualty figure at 22.
Chief Barth Nwibe, a leading governorship aspirant for the November 2025 election in Anambra, lamented the loss of lives, describing it as deeply unfortunate that people died while trying to secure a few grains of rice for survival.
Nwibe characterized the incident as a stark reflection of the economic hardship faced by Nigerians and stated that the victims should not be blamed for their plight, as they were simply trying to feed their families.
“I wish to express my deep condolences to the families of the deceased and the people of Ihiala over this irreparable loss. It is definitely not their fault; they needed the rice to stay alive. This incident highlights the dire situation in our society today. In a country where conditions are better, you would not have this number of people scrambling for free rice. It is quite unfortunate and saddening,” he said.
Chief Akai Egwuonwu, Managing Director of Stine Mill Industries, producers of Anambra Rice, expressed sorrow over the loss of women, elderly individuals, pregnant and nursing mothers, and children in the incident.
Egwuonwu stressed the importance of prioritising safety and implementing effective crowd management during such charitable distributions.
He said: “I implore all individuals and organisations engaged in charitable activities to prioritise the safety and well-being of beneficiaries by taking necessary measures to prevent such tragedies. I commiserate with the Obijackson Foundation and urge them not to be discouraged in their noble interventions.”
Similarly, Chief Uzo Obi, Managing Director and CEO of Jozo Environmental Services Limited, mourned with the entire Okija community over the tragic event.
Obi noted the irony that, while the Christian world is in a celebratory mood preparing for the birth of Jesus Christ, some families have been plunged into sorrow.
“This is most unfortunate; it is one tragedy too many. It is heartbreaking to see how good intentions can result in sorrow and mourning. It speaks volumes about the difficult times we are living in, as many people struggle to survive on their own. There is a need to empower people to become self-reliant.
“On behalf of myself and my family, I extend heartfelt condolences to all those directly and indirectly affected by this tragedy. I also encourage the Obijackson Foundation and other kind-hearted individuals in society not to be deterred but to continue offering support to those in need,” he said.
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