By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The Kano State Government has declared Monday, June 2, 2025, a day of mourning to be observed statewide as a work free day in honour of the State’s athletes and officials who lost their lives while returning from the National Sports Festival held in Ogun state.
The Source reports that about 22 members of the State contingent to the just concluded National Sports Fiesta tagged “Gateway 2024 on Saturday, May 31, lost their lives in a tragic road mishap in Kura, just less than 50 kilometers to Kano while on their way home.
According to Umar Fagge, the Chairman of the Kano State Sports Council, there were about 30 athletes on the bus as at the time of the crash which occurred at the Dakatsalle Bridge within the Kura Council of the state.
A statement on Sunday June 1, 2025, from the Governor’s spokesperson Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, informed that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who is presently in Saudi Arabia for the Muslim pilgrimage, called on all Kano residents to be united and strong at this trying moment.
According to the statement, the day is to be set aside to mourn the dead athletes who proudly represented the state at the National Sports Festival.
“On behalf of the Government and good people of Kano State, we extend our heartfelt condolences over the unfortunate incident that occurred along Kano/Zaria road expressway.
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 was quoted as saying.
While suing for calm and peace among citizens and residents, Governor Yusuf assured of the commitment of the state Government to supporting the families of the victims of the unfortunate incident.
Meanwhile, the State Government has announced a preliminary offer of support with each family of the 22 deceased athletes to receive N1 million.
This is just as the State Government called on religious leaders and faithful across the State to pray for the repose of the souls of the departed .
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