Follow Us on Google
• Yusuf declares public holiday, Abiodun supports victims’ families with N31m
From Ndubuisi Orji, Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja and Abdulrazaq Mungadi, Gombe
A deluge of condolence messages have continued to pour in for Kano State over the death of its athletes returning from the National Sports Festival (NSF) in Ogun State and the Niger State government following a devastating flood in Mokwa Local Government Area which left over 100 dead.
According to the Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF), the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Niger State chapter, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, the twin incidents are devastating and national tragedies needing urgent and coordinated action.
This is as Governor Dapo Abiodun yesterday dispatched a high-powered delegation to commiserate with the Kano State Government and its people over the tragic loss of athletes and officials, which reportedly occurred on Saturday, at about 9am in Kura Local Government Area. The athletes and officials were returning from the just-concluded sports fiesta in Ogun State.
NGF, in a statement by Ismail Uba Misilli, on behalf of the Forum’s Chairman and Gombe State Governor, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, extended condolences to the families of the deceased in the Kano accident, which claimed 21.
“These young athletes were more than representatives of Kano State; they were shining symbols of hope and promise for our region and the entire nation. Their exploits at the sports festival made us proud and their untimely deaths are a painful reminder of life’s fragility,” Governor Inuwa Yahaya stated.
Equally, the Forum commiserated with victims of the Mokwa floods, which has claimed hundreds of lives and displaced thousands, destroying farmlands, homes and other critical public infrastructure in the area.
Governor Yahaya described the scale of destruction as heartbreaking and urged all stakeholders to intensify efforts to bring immediate relief and long-term recovery to the affected areas.
“As we mourn with the bereaved families and stand in solidarity with the displaced, we are ready to work with Niger State in taking decisive steps to ensure such disasters are better mitigated in the future,” he assured.
Also, the State Chairman of CAN, Most Rev. Bulus Yohanna, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, commended both the Federal and State Governments for directing all relevant MDAs and emergency response agencies to mobilise resources to support the affected people.
He urged all residents of Mokwa to remain hopeful and proactive in the recovery efforts so as to ensure that Mokwa emerges stronger from this unfortunate crisis.
“While we continue in our prayers for you, we urge you to remain hopeful and resilient,” he added.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, also extended condolences to Governor Yusuf, and the families of the dead members of the state contingent.
Akpabio, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the closing ceremony of the games in Abeokuta, expressed sympathy in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh.
“It is with profound sadness that I received the news of the tragic death of 22 members of the Kano State contingent that participated in the National Sports Festival in Ogun State.
“On behalf of my family, constituents, the Nigerian Senate and the entire National Assembly, I extend my deepest condolences to Your Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, the government and people of Kano State.”
Describing the loss as a painful reminder of the fragility of life, Akpabio emphasised the importance of prioritising the safety and well-being of Nigerian citizens, especially the youth.
“We stand in solidarity with the families of the deceased and pray for their swift healing and comfort during this difficult time. May the souls of the departed rest in peace, and may their memories inspire us to work towards creating a safer and more supportive environment for all Nigerians,” he added.
Similarly, Buhari condoled with the victims of the Niger flood and the Kano athletes. Buhari, in a statement by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, sympathised with the bereaved families, governments and the people of Niger and Kano states over the incident.
The former president said the tragic incidents, happening in a quick sequence, had left him shocked and devastated as it did many people in different parts of the world.
Other News
“I am deeply pained by the loss of lives due to the floods in Niger state and the road accident in Kano state.
‘’The deaths are painful and devastating. Condolences to the families and friends of all those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon.”
Reacting, Kalu described the death of the athletes as heartbreaking and a devastating blow to the nation.
The deputy speaker noted that the late athletes dedicated themselves to excellence in sports for a brighter future for the nation. He added that their good deeds will never be forgotten.
Kalu extended his condolences to the family of the deceased, Kano State Government, the National Sports Commission and all sport enthusiasts and prayed to God to give them the fortitude to bear loss.
The 2024 edition of the National Sports Festival, which brought together athletes from across the country, ended on a somber note with the news of the Kano contingent’s tragedy casting a shadow over the event’s celebratory close.
In a statement issued in Abeokuta by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Mr Kayode Akinmade, Governor Abiodun also announced a financial support package of N1 million to each of the bereaved families, totaling N31 million as an initial assistance.
The delegation, led by the state Deputy Governor, Mr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, included the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi, and Commissioner for Sports Development, Mr Wasiu Isiaka.
Others were the Executive Secretary of the Local Organising Committee for the Gateway Games 2024, Dr Kweku Tandoh, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports, Lanre Ogunyinka, Team Ogun’s coach, Idris Oguntayo, as well as two athletes from the state’s team – Ms Atinuke Onabiyi and Mr Ayomide Oyegbade.
According to the statement, the delegation arrived in Kano at about 9 a.m. and was received by officials of the Kano State Government, led by the Deputy Governor Aminu Gwarzo.
Salako-Oyedele conveyed the governor’s deep sorrow and condolences.
In response, Gwarzo expressed profound gratitude for the visit and the governor’s show of compassion.
He confirmed that Governor Abiodun had personally reached out by phone on Saturday to commiserate with the government and people of Kano state, noting that the gesture underscored his genuine concern.
Meanwhile, Governor 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.
A statement issued in Kano 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 in Abeokuta, Ogun.
“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 quoted Yusuf, who is 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 called on the people of the state 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.
