Sokoto Governor Mourns Kano Athlete Tragedy, Niger Flood Disaster
In a week marked by sorrow and national reflection, Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu has expressed deep grief over the twin tragedies that struck Kano and Niger States, describing them as national emergencies that demand urgent attention and systemic change.
In a statement released by his Press Secretary, Abubakar Bawa, on Wednesday, Governor Aliyu called the death of 22 young athletes from Kano in a horrific road crash a “national tragedy” that has sent shockwaves across Nigeria. The athletes were returning home from the National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State, when their journey ended in catastrophe on Sunday.
“Their sudden demise is both painful and deeply sorrowful,” Aliyu stated. “We pray Almighty Allah forgives their shortcomings, grants them Aljannah Firdaus, and comforts their families, friends, and the good people of Kano.”
The governor extended condolences to Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf and declared that the people of Sokoto stood in full solidarity with Kano.
“This is not just Kano’s loss it is Nigeria’s. We mourn together,” he emphasized.
Aliyu urged bereaved families to see the incident as a divine trial and remain resilient, but he also issued a call to action: the federal and state governments must strengthen transportation safety protocols, particularly for vulnerable groups like athletes and youth traveling on national assignments.
A Flood of Pain in Niger State
In a separate condolence message, Governor Aliyu also mourned the lives lost in Makwa Local Government Area of Niger State, where devastating floods triggered by relentless rainfall swept through communities, claiming lives and washing away homes, farms, and critical infrastructure.
Speaking from the holy city of Mecca, where he is currently on pilgrimage, Aliyu described the flooding as a “deeply unfortunate calamity” that should serve as a wake-up call for Nigeria’s disaster response systems.
“This is a shared tragedy. The pain felt in Makwa resonates across Sokoto and indeed the entire nation,” he said.
Aliyu highlighted the longstanding social and cultural ties between Sokoto and Niger states and reassured Niger residents of Sokoto’s moral support during this time of loss. But more than sympathy, the governor called for proactive disaster management not just temporary relief.
“We must invest in stronger disaster preparedness, climate-resilient infrastructure, and a sustainable emergency response framework. These tragedies cannot continue to be met with mere condolences.”
A Call for Policy Reform
As Nigerians mourn, critics argue that these repeated tragedies whether from avoidable road accidents or predictable seasonal floods are symptoms of deeper systemic failures. Experts are now demanding sweeping reforms in transportation safety, climate resilience, and emergency management.
While the grief is raw, many are asking: will this be another moment of fleeting national mourning, or a turning point toward meaningful change?
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Sokoto Governor Mourns Kano Athlete Tragedy, Niger Flood Disaster