Kano Declares Monday Public Holiday to Mourn 22 Athletes Killed in Tragic Road Accident
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has declared Monday a work-free day in honor of the 22 young athletes and officials who tragically lost their lives in a road accident while returning from the just-concluded National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State. This announcement was made on Sunday, June 1, through a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Mr. Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
The deceased, most of whom were young athletes representing Kano State, were part of the official delegation to the national event. The tragic incident occurred along the Kano–Zaria expressway, as the contingent was making its way back home after participating in the multi-sport competition.
Governor Yusuf, who is currently in Saudi Arabia participating in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage, expressed profound sorrow over the tragedy, describing it as one of the darkest moments in the state’s recent history.
“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 said in his condolence message.
He added, “These were young, vibrant individuals who had gone to represent Kano State in a national competition, only to have their dreams cut short by this devastating accident. The entire state is in mourning.”
Governor Yusuf further called for calm and unity among the people of Kano during this difficult period. He assured the families of the victims that the state government would provide all necessary assistance, both in terms of financial support and counseling services, to help them cope with the loss.
“We stand with the bereaved families and offer our deepest condolences. The government is putting every effort in place to support them and ensure that the injured receive proper medical care,” he stated.
The governor also used the opportunity to call upon religious leaders, especially Imams across Kano State and beyond, to offer special prayers during congregational worships for the repose of the souls of the deceased and for divine strength for their families.
In his message from Saudi Arabia, Governor Yusuf urged citizens to hold on to their faith and remember the victims in their thoughts and prayers. He stressed the importance of national unity and the need for compassion in moments of collective grief.
The tragic event has cast a pall over Kano State, especially among the sporting community and the families of the deceased. Many residents have taken to social media to express their sorrow, recounting the positive contributions of some of the young athletes who had shown great promise in their respective sporting disciplines.
As a mark of respect and mourning, all public offices and institutions across the state will remain closed on Monday, with flags expected to fly at half-mast in all government buildings.
The National Sports Festival, often seen as a platform for discovering young talents, ended just days before the fatal incident. Now, what was meant to be a celebratory return has turned into a period of mourning for Kano State.
