Governor Abiodun mourns Kano athletes killed in bus crash

The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has mourned the 21 Kano athletes who died in a bus crash  while returning home after participating in the National Sports Festival held in Ogun State.

The members of the Ogun State contingent died on Saturday after their  bus crashed  about 50 kilometres from Kano after passing Kaduna State.

Abiodun, in a statement issued in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Saturday, said,  “It is indeed saddening and distressing that 21 gallant athletes who had represented Kano State at the just concluded Gateway 2024 games have lost their lives in the most traumatizing and most painful circumstances.

“This is so painful. These were young people, budding stars who had a lot to give the country with their talent, skills, and creativity. In particular, it is tragic that their beloved family members, who were looking forward to receiving them after a memorable outing at the National Sports Festival, will never get to see their beautiful faces again. Our prayers and thoughts are with their families and friends at this terrible hour.

“Having represented Kano with pride and distinction and made friends with their compatriots from across the 33 states, the athletes were heading home with joy, only for their lives to be cut short just before setting foot on Kano soil.

“We are deeply saddened by this incident, and we pray that Almighty Allah grant them eternal rest.

“I commiserate with His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, and his cabinet, the chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission, Umar Bala Fagge, and the people of Kano State over this most tragic and most unfortunate incident. May we never witness this kind of incident again.”