Kano state governor declares public holiday in honour of deceased athletes, as Senator Sani calls for immortalization
The Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has declared Monday 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 (NSF), held in Ogun State.
Penpushing reports that the Governor’s spokesperson made this known in a statement, just as former Senator Shehu Sani called on the government to honour their memory in lasting and meaningful ways.
The state government lamented that the victims, mostly youths, were part of the Kano state’s contingent to the just-concluded National Sports Festival, held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
“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’, he said.
Penpushing further reports that the statement quoted the Governor 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’, the statement reads.
Penpushing also reports that the Governor, however, called on residents 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.
The Governor equally 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.
Penpushing reports that the Deputy Governor visited the hospital, where the bodies were kept, and announced that each family of the victims would receive ₦1 million and food items from the state government.
The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mustapha Kwankwaso, in his own reactions expressed deep sadness over the incident, saying it was a deeply painful moment
“This is a deeply painful moment for all of us. We are devastated by the news of the ghastly accident that occurred as our athletes were returning home after representing our great state with pride and commitment. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the entire sporting community in Kano,” he said.
Penpushing further reports that Sani on his part, in a heartfelt message on facebook urged the Kano State and Federal Governments to ensure the athletes are remembered forever by naming streets after them and building a memorial at the crash site.
“Kano state and the Federal Government must do better to support their families and immortalise them. Streets should be named after them. The scene of the accident must have a memorial in their honour. The future generation should know about them and their sacrifices,” he said.
“We cannot bring them back to life, but we can make their service and sacrifice immortal. With tears in my eyes, I say to the spirits of the deceased, thank you for your service to humanity. We appreciate your lives. May Allah forgive their shortcomings and grant them Aljanna Firdausi’, he wrote
‘They travelled hundreds of kilometres only to perish at a distance of ‘Mun kusa shigowa’. They made their last calls and last messages before their exit to eternity. They died in active service for their state and country. We lost a vibrant generation who represented us and were determined to make us proud’, he lamented
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