Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele on Monday led a high-powered delegation to Kano to commiserate with the state government and the grieving families of the 22 athletes who died in a road accident.
The Ogun delegation was received at the Government House in Kano by the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo.
Salako-Oyedele conveyed the condolences of Governor Dapo Abiodun and announced a donation of N1 million to each of the families of the victims as initial support.
“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 him, the government, and the people of Kano State in these trying times,” Salako-Oyedele said.
“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.
” 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,” she added.
Responding, the Kano Deputy Governor, expressed 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.
“We are not in doubt about Governor Abiodun’s concern. He called to commiserate with the government and people of Kano State shortly after the incident. This visit and the support extended today reaffirm that concern,” said Gwarzo.
The Ogun delegation included the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi; Commissioner for Sports Development, Wasiu Isiaka; Executive Secretary of the Gateway Games LOC, Kweku Tandoh, and other officials and athletes.
The accident, which occurred at about 12:30 pm last Saturday at Gadar Yankifi in the Garun Malam Local Government Area, involved a Toyota Coaster Bus with registration number KN041 A17.
One of the survivors of the crash, Ado Salisu, had confirmed to journalists that the accident happened just hours before they were expected to arrive in Kano.
According to a press statement issued by the Federal Road Safety Corps, Kano Sector Command, the crash involved 32 occupants—31 male adults and one female adult.
Of these, 22 individuals lost their lives at the scene, while the remaining passengers sustained various degrees of injuries.
