•Ogun State Government Send Delegate
The Governor of Kano State, His Excellency Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has expressed deep sorrow and extended condolences to the families of athletes and an official who lost their lives in a tragic auto accident that claimed 22 lives and left several others seriously injured
The victims, who were mostly in their youthful age, were returning home as Kano’s contingent from the 22nd National Sports Festival tagged Gateway Games 2024.
The Governor’s Spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, said the State has declared Monday, 2nd June as a public holiday to mourn with the victims’ families.
“On behalf of the Government and the good people of Kano State, we wish to extend our heartfelt condolences over the unfortunate incident that occurred to the brave Kano team members on their way back home along the Kano–Zaria expressway.”
The statement added that the delegation comprised athletes, coaches, and officials representing the state in various sporting events at the just concluded National Sports Festival.
“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,” the Governor said.
“On behalf of the government and the good people of Kano State, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. We mourn with you and share in your grief.”
Governor Yusuf described the tragedy as a dark moment for the entire State and called for calm and unity during this difficult period.
He assured that all necessary efforts are being made to support the victims and their families.
His Excellency is away in Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj Operation, he directed that Monday, 2nd June 2025, be declared as a public holiday for the good people of Kano to pray and sympathize with the families of the victims.
The state also calls on the Imams and all muslims within and outside Kano to pray for the departed souls and thier respective families to bear the loss.
Meanwhile, a powerful delegation from Ogun State Government has touched down in Kano for a condolences visit.
The delegation led by the Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedele, included the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi; the Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon Wasiu Isiaka and the 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, the 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 Kano around 9am, was received by officials of the Kano State Government led by the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdusalam Gwarzo.
Governor Abiodun’s sense of profound personal loss over the tragic incident, the Ogun Deputy Governor, Engineer Noimot Salako-Oyedele, commiserated with the Kano State Government over the tragic incident.
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 the Governor, 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.”
Responding, the Kano Deputy Governor, Kano expressed the Kano State Government’s appreciation for the visit, saying that the government was not in doubt about Governor Abiodun’s concern. He indicated that Governor Abiodun had called to commiserate with the Government and people of Kano State over the incident on Saturday.
The Ogun State governor also gave N1 million each to the families of the victims as initial support over the loss of their loved ones, totaling N31 million.
