Death of 9 youth in search of livelihood, national loss, says Shagari

From Bashir Rabe Mani, Sokoto

Former Minister of Water Resources, former Deputy Governor of Sokoto State and Chairman, Governing Board of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mukhtar Shehu Shagari, has expressed profound grief over the tragic death of nine indigenes of Yabo Local Government Area who died in a fatal auto crash.
The deceased lost their lives in a ghastly motor accident along the busy Sokoto–Lagos highway while travelling in search of better economic opportunities.
In a deeply emotional condolence message made available to newsmen by his Media aide, Musa Ubandawaki, Shagari described the incident as a heartbreaking tragedy that has plunged not only the affected families and the people of Yabo into mourning, but also Sokoto State and the nation at large.
He said the untimely demise of the young victims represents a painful loss of promising lives whose aspirations, dreams and contributions to society were abruptly cut short by the fatal accident.
According to him, the tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the harsh realities confronting many young Nigerians who embark on long and perilous journeys in pursuit of economic survival and a brighter future.
Shagari noted that the deaths have left an irreplaceable vacuum in the families of the deceased and have deprived their communities of energetic and productive members whose future potential held great promise.
“The news of the death of these young sons of Yabo came to me with profound shock and deep sadness. It is a tragedy that touches the heart and leaves us all in grief,” he decried.
Shagari added: “These were individuals who set out with hopes of improving their lives and supporting their families. Sadly, destiny had a different course, and their lives were cut short in the most painful circumstances.”
The elder statesman urged the bereaved families to draw strength from their faith and find solace in the belief that every soul shall ultimately return to its Creator.
“No words can adequately console parents, relatives and loved ones who have lost their children and family members in such a devastating manner. I share in their sorrow and pray that Almighty Allah grants them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” Shagari said.
He further extended his heartfelt sympathies to the people and traditional leadership of Yabo Local Government Area, describing the incident as a collective tragedy that has cast a shadow of mourning across the entire area.
Shagari also called on relevant authorities and road users to intensify efforts toward improving highway safety in order to reduce the alarming rate of fatal road accidents across the country.
He emphasized that preserving human lives must remain a national priority, stressing that every preventable loss on the nation’s highways is one too many.
The former deputy governor prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased, asking Allah to forgive their shortcomings, reward their good deeds and admit them into Aljannatul Firdaus.
He concluded by reaffirming his solidarity with the bereaved families and the people of Yabo during what he described as one of the most difficult moments in their recent history.
“On behalf of my family and associates, I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased, the people of Yabo Local Government and the entire Sokoto State. May Allah, in His infinite mercy, grant eternal rest to the departed souls and protect all travellers from similar tragedies in the future,” Shagari said.