Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Sunday dispatched a high-powered delegation to Kano State to commiserate with the government and people over the tragic loss of athletes and officials who died while returning from the recently concluded Gateway 2024 National Sports Festival held in Ogun State.
As a mark of support, Governor Abiodun announced a donation of N1 million each to the families of the 31 victims, amounting to a total of N31 million.
Leading the delegation was the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele. She was accompanied by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi; Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka; and the Executive Secretary of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Dr. Kweku Tandoh.
Also on the team were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports, Comrade Lanre Ogunyinka; Coach of Team Ogun, Idris Oguntayo; and two athletes from Team Ogun—Ms. Atinuke Onabiyi and Mr. Ayomide Oyegbade.
The delegation arrived in Kano around 9 am and was warmly received by officials of the Kano State Government, led by the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdusalam Gwarzo.
Read Also: Medipool initiative targets affordable Drugs, local pharma growth — Pate
Expressing Governor Abiodun’s sense of profound personal loss over the tragic incident, the Ogun Deputy Governor, Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedele, commiserated with the Kano State Government over the tragic incident.
She said, “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 the Governor, the Government and the people of Kano State in these trying times.
“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. We also pray for the speedy recovery of the other people who are in the hospital at this time, who rushed to the aid of the victims at the time.
“I know we have several of the victims here, and I know that the police, FRSC, and so many organisations also rushed to their aid, and I want to thank them all. Our prayer is that this kind of thing will never happen again and that Allah accepts the return of the deceased to Him, forgives their shortcomings and grants them Aljanat Firdaus, and also grants their families and the loved ones that they left behind the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
Responding, the Kano Deputy Governor, Kano, expressed the Kano 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.