By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano

Kano state Governor,  Abba Kabir Yusuf,  has announced the donation of N1 million each to the families  of the  21 athletes who lost their lives in a fatal accident at Bebeji Local Government Area Kano, on their way to Kano from the National Sports Festival in Ogun state.

The athletes died when their bus, carrying 35 passengers swerved and fell from a bridge.

While 19 died on the spot, three later gave up the ghost at the  hospital.

Other victims who sustained different degrees of injuries were transfered to Murtala Mohammed Specialist hospital for intensive treatment at the instance of the state government.

Governor Yusuf condolled with the families of the bereaved through his Deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo.

Gwarzo  conveyed the heartfelt condolences of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the entire state government to the families of the Kano athletes  who  lost their lives in the  fatal accident at Chiromawa Bridge, along the Kano-Kaduna-Zaria expressway.

The unfortunate incident occurred on Saturday at the Chiromawa Bridge in Bebeji Local Government Area, where members of the Kano State contingent were involved in a motor accident.

The athletes were returning from the National Sports Festival held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, when their vehicle veered off the bridge and crashed.

In a statement issued by the Deputy Governor’s spokesperson, Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu, the Deputy Governor, speaking on behalf of Governor  Yusuf, who is currently in Saudi Arabia, expressed profound grief over the tragedy.

He described the incident as a devastating loss not only to the bereaved families but also to the entire state and the sporting community.

As a mark of support, the Deputy Governor announced that Governor  Yusuf has approved a donation of N1 million  and food items to each of the affected families.

The Deputy Governor visited the Nasarawa Specialist Hospital, where the remains of the deceased were deposited.

He was accompanied by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Farouk Umar Ibrahim, along with other senior government officials.

The delegation also visited injured victims receiving treatment at Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital.

During both visits, they met with the grieving families,  and offered words of comfort and prayers.

On behalf of Governor Yusuf, Comrade Gwarzo prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and asked for divine strength and healing for the injured.

The Deputy Governor reaffirmed the Kano State Government’s unwavering commitment to supporting the victims’ families and emphasized the urgent need to implement proactive measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.