Izuchukwu OkosiThe President, Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) Engr Musa Kida has expressed heartfelt condolences to the Kano State Government on the killing of 21 athletes, officials and journalists that represented the state at the recently concluded 22nd National Sports Festival held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The death of the athletes have sparked shock waves across the sporting fraternity as some of the athletes are considered potential medal prospects for the country in future competitions.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelKida, who this year was appointed as the Non-executive Chairman of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu described the incident as shocking and heartbreaking.
“This is a huge shock and it’s heartbreaking. To lose over 20 lives of athletes, officials and journalists who have just represented their state at the National Sports Festival in a ghastly road accident, is painful and saddening.
“Words alone can’t express the sadness in the Nigeria sports community. We can only pray that God in His infinite mercies grant the souls of the departed peaceful rest.
“We also pray he gives the government of Kano State, the families, friends and associates of the departed souls, the fortitude and strength to bear the loss, Kida said ruefully.
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Similarly, the Chairman, Gombe State Sports Athletics Association, Honourable Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe, had expressed deepest condolences over the auto crash.
In a press statement issues on Monday and made available to Prime Business Africa, the controversial administrator said:
“I would like to use this opportunity to express my deepest sympathy to the Kano State Sports Contingent that lost their lives while returning from the 22nd National Sports Festival held in Ogun State.
“This traffic incident calls for national mourning not only for Kano State.
“However, I would like to like to also extend my heartfelt condolences to the people of Kano State, a place where I served as Special Adviser to the former Governor of Kano State, Aminu Gwankwaso.
“I know many of the athletes we lost in the traffic incident. It took me this long to issue this statement because I was speechless and in tears. However, we came from God and would return to him,” Gara Gombe concluded.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
