Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun on Sunday, 1 June, 2025, sent a powerful delegation to Kano State to commiserate with the government and people of the state over the loss of athletes and officials returning home from the just-concluded National Sports Festival (NSF), tagged Gateway Games 2024.
The Governor also gave N1 million each to the families of the victims as initial support over the loss of their loved ones, totaling N31 million.
The delegation, led by the Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, included the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi; the state Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka; and the Executive Secretary of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the Gateway Games 2024, Dr. Kweku Tandoh.
It also included the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports, Comrade Lanre Ogunyinka; the Coach of Team Ogun, Idris Oguntayo; a female athlete from Team Ogun, Ms. Atinuke Onabiyi; and a male athlete from the same team, Ayomide Oyegbade.
The delegation, which arrived in Kano around 9 a.m., was received by officials of the Kano State Government, led by the state Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdusalam Gwarzo.
Expressing Governor Abiodun’s profound personal loss over the tragic incident, Engr. Salako-Oyedele, commiserated with the Kano State Government.
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.
“I know we have several of the victims here, and I know that the police, FRSC, and many organizations 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. We also pray that their families and loved ones left behind have the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
Responding, the Kano Deputy Governor expressed the State Government’s appreciation for the visit, saying that the government was in no doubt about Governor Abiodun’s concern. He disclosed that Governor Abiodun had called to commiserate with the government and people of Kano State over the incident on Saturday.
