In a heartfelt show of compassion, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has extended financial assistance to the families of the 22 Kano State athletes and officials who lost their lives in a devastating road accident while returning from the 2024 National Sports Festival, held in Abeokuta.
Each affected family received the sum of ₦1 million as a token of support from the Ogun State Government. The donations were formally delivered on Sunday by a high-level delegation led by the Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, who was in Kano to personally convey Governor Abiodun’s condolences to the bereaved.
The delegation also included the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi; the Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka; and the Executive Secretary of the Festival’s Local Organising Committee (LOC), Dr. Kweku Tandoh. The team visited the families of the deceased and held a condolence meeting with Kano State officials.
Speaking on behalf of the Ogun State Government during the visit, Salako-Oyedele described the donation as a modest but sincere expression of grief and solidarity. She noted that Governor Abiodun was deeply pained by the tragic loss and felt it was necessary to reach out directly to support the grieving families.
“The entire government and people of Ogun State mourn with Kano State over this painful incident. This financial assistance, though symbolic, is a reflection of our shared humanity and our commitment to standing with the affected families in their time of grief,” she said.
The deputy governor also praised the emergency response teams whose quick intervention helped rescue survivors at the accident scene. She offered prayers for the swift recovery of those still receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the crash.
Receiving the Ogun delegation on behalf of the Kano State Government, the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdusalam Gwarzo, expressed profound gratitude for the visit and the financial gesture. He described it as a powerful demonstration of unity and empathy, particularly in such a trying moment for the state.
Comrade Gwarzo also revealed that Governor Abiodun had personally placed a condolence call to the Kano State Governor shortly after the incident, assuring them of his government’s thoughts and prayers.
The tragic accident occurred as the Kano contingent was returning from the 2024 edition of the National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games, hosted in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The crash claimed 22 lives and left several others injured, casting a somber shadow over what had been a celebration of national sporting talent.
As families continue to mourn their loved ones, the Ogun State Government’s intervention has been widely acknowledged as a timely and humane gesture in the spirit of national solidarity.
