Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has expressed deep gratitude to Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Nigeria’s First Lady, for her generous donation of ₦110 million to the families of 22 athletes who lost their lives in a tragic road accident.
The Tragic Accident and Its Impact
The athletes died in a crash just five kilometres from Kano while returning from the National Sports Festival in Ogun State. They had proudly represented Kano and won multiple medals, making their state proud. The accident has left their families, the sporting community, and the entire state in mourning.
The First Lady’s Gesture
A delegation from the Office of the First Lady, led by Laila Barau Jibrin (wife of the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin), visited Kano to deliver a condolence message and hand over the donation. Laila Barau Jibrin explained that each of the 22 bereaved families would receive ₦5 million from the total ₦110 million.
“This is not the first time Her Excellency, the First Lady, has extended her kind gestures to Kano State,” the governor’s statement read. “Her compassion and solidarity in times of need have always been a source of comfort to our people.”
Governor’s Statement and Previous Support
Governor Yusuf, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mustapha Muhammad, commended the First Lady’s gesture as an act of compassion and national solidarity. He noted that Senator Tinubu had previously supported Kano State in other ways:
- ₦200,000 each to 250 elderly women
- ₦50,000 each to 500 smallholder women farmers
Transparent Distribution of Funds
To ensure the funds reach those who need them most, the governor announced that a high-powered committee would be formed. This committee will ensure the transparent and equitable distribution of the ₦110 million to the bereaved families. The process will be open for public scrutiny.
Thanks to Other Supporters
Governor Yusuf also thanked other individuals and organizations that have supported the victims’ families. He mentioned those who helped families affected by the recent fire outbreak at the Farm Centre GSM market in Kano. He said the outpouring of support from across the country shows that Nigerians can come together in times of grief, regardless of their differences.
The Significance of the Support
The First Lady’s donation is a much-needed relief for the affected families. It will help them cope with the immediate financial challenges that come with losing a loved one, especially those who were breadwinners or had dependents. The support is also seen as a sign that the sacrifices made by the athletes have not gone unnoticed at the highest levels of government.
Community leaders and sports officials have expressed their gratitude to Senator Remi Tinubu. They said her intervention has brought hope and comfort to the grieving families and has shown that the government values the contributions of young athletes to national development.
The Legacy of the Athletes
The story of the 22 athletes is a reminder of both the risks and the rewards that come with representing one’s state and country. While their lives were cut short, their achievements will not be forgotten. The support from the First Lady and the state government is a testament to the value placed on their service and the recognition of their sacrifice.
Conclusion
The ₦110 million donation from First Lady Remi Tinubu to the families of Kano’s late athletes is a powerful gesture of compassion and national unity. Governor Abba Yusuf’s public appreciation reflects the gratitude of Kano’s people, and the transparent distribution of the funds will honor the memory of the athletes who gave their all for their state. Their legacy will live on in the hearts of their families and the entire sporting community.
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