The Kano State Government has declared Monday, June 2, 2025, a public holiday to mourn the tragic loss of 22 young athletes, coaches, and officials who died in a fatal auto crash while returning from the National Sports Festival held in Ogun State. The victims were part of Kano’s official delegation to the event.
Governor Abba Yusuf, currently on pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj, described the incident as a dark and painful moment for the state. He lamented the loss of some of Kano’s brightest sporting talents and extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and the wider sports community.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sanusi Tofa, the governor expressed deep sorrow over the incident, which occurred along the Kano–Zaria expressway. The public holiday, he said, is a mark of respect for the departed souls and a gesture of solidarity with their grieving families.
