Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has declared today as a public holiday to honour the memory of the 22 Kano athletes and officials who died in a road accident while returning from the National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
A statement in Kano yesterday by the Governor’s spokesperson, Mr Sanusi Bature, said the victims, mostly youths, were part of the state’s contingent to the just-concluded National Sports Festival.
“On behalf of the government and the good people of Kano State, we extend our heartfelt condolences over the unfortunate incident that occurred along the Kano–Zaria expressway,” Bature said.
He quoted Yusuf, who is currently in Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj operations, as describing the incident as a dark moment for the state.
“It is with a deeply saddened heart that I received the tragic news of the unfortunate incident which claimed the lives of 22 innocent citizens and left several others injured,” he said.
The Governor called on the people to remain calm and united during this difficult period, adding that all necessary support would be extended to the families of the deceased and the injured.
He also urged Imams and faithful across the state and beyond to offer prayers for the repose of the souls of the departed and for their families to find strength in this moment of grief.
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, yesterday sent a delegation to Kano State to commiserate with the government and the people over the loss.
Abiodun also gave NI million to each of the families of the victims as initial support.
He also urged Imams and faithful across the state and beyond to offer prayers for the repose of the souls of the departed and for their families to find strength in this moment of grief.
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, yesterday sent a delegation to Kano State to commiserate with the government and the people over the loss.
Abiodun also gave NI million to each of the families of the victims as initial support.
The delegation, led by the Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, included the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi; Commissioner for Sports Development, Wasiu Isiaka and Executive Secretary, Local Organising Committee (LOC), Gateway Games Ogun 2024, Dr Kweku Tandoh.
It also included the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports, Comrade Lanre Ogunyinka, Coach of Team Ogun; Idris Oguntayo; a female athlete from Team Ogun, Ms Atinuke Onabiyi, and a male athlete from the same Team, Ayomide Oyegbade.
The delegation, which arrived in Kano around 9am, was received by officials of the government led by Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdusalam Gwarzo.
Expressing Governor Abiodun’s sense of personal loss over the tragic incident, Deputy Governor Salako-Oyedele, commiserated with the Kano State Government.
She said: “We know that the Governor is out of the state on Hajj but we felt we had to be here to show our support to him, the Government and the people of Kano State in these trying times.
“This is a devastating loss for Kano State, for the athletics community and especially for the families and friends of the individuals who were affected by this tragic incident. We also pray for the speedy recovery of the other people who are in hospital at this time, who rushed to the aid of the victims at the time.
“I know we have several of the victims here, and I know that the police, FRSC, and so many organizations also rushed to their aid and I want to thank them all. Our prayer is that this kind of thing will never happen again and that Allah accepts the return of the deceased to Him, forgive their shortcomings and grant them Aljanat Firdaus and also grant their families and the loved ones that they left behind the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
Replying, Deputy Governor Gwarzo expressed the state government’s appreciation for the visit. He said that the government was not in doubt about Governor Abiodun’s concern. He said that Governor Abiodun had called to commiserate with the government and people over the incident on Saturday.
