The ex-Commonwealth and British boxing champion, Peter Oboh, has urged President Bola Tinubu to consider the good intentions of the organisers of the charity events where stampedes led to the death of over over 50 people.

Recall that last Saturday, no fewer than 17 people died in a stampede during rice distribution in Anambra State. Also, about 10 fatalities were recorded in Abuja where palliatives were being distributed.

Earlier, about 35, many of them children, died in Ibadan, Oyo State, during a funfair.

Oboh pleads for clemency

Reacting to the tragedies, Peter Oboh said it was very sad to know that some good people came out to give out paliatives to the needy this  Christmas season, only for the events to end in disasters.

He said: “We must be wise to know this: once we have good intentions, evil can still try to make a way in unless we do our home work by learning how to handle crowd.

“This is not an overnight thing. I studied crowd management in the early stages of my boxing career in London, the UK.

“I can still remember seven major keys you must have some ideas about.

“One, the expected number of persons. Two, a ‘Plan B’ for the overflow in case there’s unexpected crowd.

“Three, the ushers and the security must be enough in numbers to be able to handle the visible crowd. Four, preparation for the worst case scenario must be in place. This includes having qualified first aid team that must be enough in numbers for the crowd.

“Five, the workers for the event must be mentally alert as if it is do-or-die issues. Six, you must find out where the exit door or entrance is.

“Finally, you must be able to sport trouble or danger before it becomes visible to all.

“However, there’s one bonus point: always protect yourself while trying to save others.

“I send my sympathies to those that lost their love ones, and I plead with Mr. President, Bola Tinubu, to temper mercy with justice. These organisers only wanted to help the less-privileged Nigerians.”