Kano 22: Barau visit families of late athletes, donates N22m

Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I Jibrin, Tuesday, paid a condolence visit to the families of the 22 Kano athletes who died in a ghastly motor accident on Saturday.

The tragic incident occurred on Saturday in Dakatsalle town, a few kilometres from the Kano State metropolis, while the athletes were returning from the just-concluded National Sports Festival (NSF) in Ogun State.

The families of the late athletes received the Deputy President of the Senate and his entourage at the Gwagwarwa Juma’a Mosque in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State.

Senator Barau was joined during the visit by the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Hon Yusuf Abdullahi Atta, the Managing Director of the North West Development Commission (NWDC), Professor Abdullahi Shehu Ma’aji, a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon Faruk Lawan, his Chief of Staff, Professor Muhammad Ibn Abdullah, chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC), clerics and business tycoons, among others.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, the Deputy President of the Senate, described the incident as tragic and announced the donation of N1m to each of the families of the 22 late athletes.

He said the loss is felt not only by the immediate families of the deceased and the sports community but also by the entire Kano State and the country at large.

“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,” he said.

The Chief Imam of the Gwagwarwa Juma’at Mosque, Sheikh Adda’u Aliyu, the ward heads of Gwagwarwa and Gama, Usman Aliyu and Rabe Isyaku, and other members of the community received the Deputy President of the Senate.

Speaking on behalf of the community, the Chief Imam appreciated Senator Barau’s condolence visit and donation, adding that the donation will go a long way in supporting the families of the deceased.

“We are happy and excited that you find time to come here and sympathise with us. This means a lot to us. We can always see your tremendous interventions and projects going beyond your Senatorial District. May Almighty Allah reward you abundantly,” he said.

During the visit, special prayers were offered for the repose of the souls of the late athletes.