In Remembrance Of The 22 Gallant Athletes
By Abdullahi Yusuf
On Saturday, May 31,2025,the nation woke up to the sad and distressing news about the death of 22 Athletes and Officials whom were members of the Kano State contingents that gallantly participated in the recent National Sports Festival which took place in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The Athletes were triumphantly returning to Kano celebrating and cherishing the medals they won at the National Sports Fiesta and looking forward to meeting their loved ones – families and friends when they met their tragic death, less than 50 kilometers before they reached home.
On that sad day, the Kano contingents met their demise when the vehicle, a bus belonging to the Kano State Sports Commission,skidded off the bridge near Dakatsalle town and crashed underneath, killing 22 of them and injuring several others.
One of the officials who died in the auto crash was Alhaji Bashir Bello Yargaya, the Secretary of the Kano State Branch of the Nigerian Basketball Association(NBA),a very dedicated, loyal and hardworking officer who immensely contributed to the development of basketball in particular and sports in general, in the country.
His senior brother and my childhood friend, Alhaji Kabiru Bello Yargaya, told yours sincerely that May 31, the day of the incident was Bashir’s day of retirement, as he had put in his retirement notice three months earlier.
Alhaji Kabiru Bello also disclosed that the late Bashir Bello had planned to venture into farming immediately after his retirement, but that was not to be, as he departed the world on his retirement day.
The shock of the Athletes’ death immediately resonated throughout the nation, attracting mourning, condolences and prayers for the gallant sportsmen who did Kano State and Nigeria proud during their participation in the National Sports Festival.
First to rise to the situation was Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf who expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident and extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims.
“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.
“On behalf of the government and the good people of Kano State, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. We mourn with you and share in your grief,” the Governor said.
He described the tragedy as a dark moment for the entire state and called for calm and unity during the difficult period.
The State Government then declared Monday, June 2,2025 Public Holiday in memory of the deceased Athletes and in sympathy with their families.
Similarly, the government donated N1 million to each of the families of the victims and also pledged to distribute food items and other essential materials to the bereaved families.
The Ogun State Government also swiftly responded to the incident by sending a delegation to Kano which condoled with the Government and people of the state over the unfortunate incident.
The government donated the sum N1 million to each of the families of the deceased athletes,and N1 million to each of the survivors of the tragic incident.The delegation which was led by the Deputy Governor of the state,Noimot Salako-Oyedele, delivered the donation on behalf of the government.
Salako-Oyedele said the donation was a gesture of support from Governor Dapo Abiodun to the bereaved families,the survivors,and the people of the state.
Similarly, President Bola Tinubu on behalf of the Federal Government, extended condolences to the government and people of the state and the families of the deceased athletes.
“This is a devastating blow to the nation. It casts a shadow over the National Sports Festival, a celebration of unity, talent and excellence.
“It has long served as a platform for discovering and nurturing athletes who bring pride to Nigeria on both national and international stages,” the President said.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, also responded by expressing his grief over the tragic incident.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, Ganduje described the incident as a heartbreaking tragedy that had dealt a heavy blow to the bereaved families,the people of Kano State and the entire nation.
Dr.Ganduje, a two-term governor of the state, described the deceased athletes as promising and dedicated youths who embodied the future of Nigerian sports and the pride of Kano State.
“This is a deeply sorrowful moment. These young athletes travelled in the spirit of unity, patriotism and excellence to represent our state and the nation. To lose them in such a tragic and untimely manner is a devastating national loss,” he said.
The APC National Chairman then extended his deepest condolences to the bereaved families, the Government and people of the state,”and the wider Nigerian sports community.”
Similarly, the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, paid a condolence visit to the families of the deceased athletes.
“We are here to register our condolences to you over this tragic and devastating incident that led to the loss of our brothers. We, therefore, renew our faith and accept it as the will of Allah. May Allah SWT grant them Aljannatul Firdausi and give you all the strength to bear these irreparable losses,” the lawmaker said.
He described the incident as tragic and announced a donation of N1 million to each of the families of the departed athletes.
Other responses to the unfortunate development came from the Nigeria Governors Forum(NGF),the Kano State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ) and the Kano State chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress(NLC), among others,which all expressed grief over the tragic deaths of the 22 athletes and extended their condolences to the government and people of the state.
Meanwhile,the people of the state have continued mourn the death of the 22 heroic athletes with condolence visits to their respective families and prayers for the departed souls.
The demise of the athletes was so tragic and shocking that it will continue to linger in the memory of the people of the state, and indeed, all Nigerians.May Allah(SWT) forgive their shortcomings and grant them Jannatul Firdous.