The Kano State Government has declared Monday, June 2, 2025, as a public holiday in honour of 22 young athletes and officials who tragically lost their lives in a road accident while returning from the recently concluded National Sports Festival.
The announcement was made on Saturday via a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa. The statement confirmed that the accident occurred along the Kano–Zaria expressway and left several others critically injured.
The victims were part of Kano State’s official contingent to the national event and included promising athletes, coaches, and government officials who had represented the state with pride in various sporting competitions.
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Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, currently in Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage, expressed profound grief over the incident, describing it as a dark and painful moment for Kano State.
“The loss of these young, vibrant individuals is not only a tragedy for their families but also for the entire state. They were ambassadors of our dreams, and their untimely deaths have left a deep wound in our hearts,” the governor said in the statement.
The public holiday is intended to give citizens the opportunity to mourn collectively, reflect on the tragedy, and offer prayers for the repose of the souls of the departed. The governor urged all residents to stand in solidarity with the grieving families during this difficult time.
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He also appealed to religious leaders and the broader Muslim community to remember the victims and their loved ones in their prayers, especially as the state continues to provide support and assistance to those affected by the tragedy.
In response to the accident, the state government has initiated efforts to aid the injured and support bereaved families, while also reviewing travel and safety protocols for official delegations.