Nearly one year after 22 Kano athletes lost their lives in a tragic road crash while returning from the National Sports Festival in Ogun State, some of their families say they are still waiting for the Kano State Government to fulfil promises made to support them.
The athletes, most of them young and considered the breadwinners of their families, died in the accident along the Kano-Zaria Expressway while returning home on 31st May after representing Kano State at the national competition.
Following the tragedy, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf announced that each affected family would receive N5 million, a job opportunity, and a plot of land as part of efforts to cushion the impact of the loss.
Although the state government later provided some support to the families through donations and assistance from politicians and other stakeholders, many affected families said the major promises made by the governor had yet to be fulfilled.
Speaking in separate interviews, Hussaina Isma’illa, wife of one of the deceased Abdullahi Saleh Trigger said she is struggling to cope with worsening economic hardship despite the earlier intervention.
She explained that “the death of her loved one created both emotional and financial challenges, especially for households where the deceased was a major contributor to family welfare.”
Another relative, Ummusulaim Dahiru said “I am finding it difficult to survive. We were hopeful when the governor made the promise, but up till now, the major support has not come.”
They appealed to the government to fulfil its pledge, saying the support would help ease their suffering and restore some hope to those left behind.
Meanwhile, the Kano State Government says “efforts are ongoing to address the matter.”
The Special Adviser to the Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf on Youth and Sports, Sani Musa Danja, said he had met with a committee comprising family members of the deceased athletes to hear their concerns.
Danja said “After the meeting, he briefed Governor Yusuf, who assured him that the government remained committed to fulfilling the promises.”
He also disclosed that the state government would organise a special prayer session on 31 May to honour the athletes during their one-year remembrance and urged the families to remain patient.
