Speaker Mourns 22 Kano Athletes

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has expressed profound sorrow over the deaths of 22 athletes from Kano State on Saturday along the Zaria-Kano Expressway.

According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Musa Abdullahi, the athletes, who were part of the Kano State contingent at the just-concluded Nigerian National Sports Festival held in Ogun State, were returning from the event.

Their vehicle reportedly plunged into a river, killing 22 persons, and leaving several others injured.

Describing the incident as tragic, Dr Abbas prayed for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives, and quick recovery for the injured.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased athletes and the Kano State Government at this moment of grief”.

“This is one unfortunate incident too many. May Allah give their families the fortitude to bear these irreparable losses,” the Speaker said, urging the relevant authorities and the Kano State Government to take measures to prevent reoccurrence.

Dr Abbas also called for the immortalization of the deceased athletes, saying they paid the supreme price in the line of duty.

The Speaker equally extended his condolences to all sport loving Nigerians, the National Sports Commission, among others.

PR Oduyemi Odumade