The Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has expressed deep appreciation to the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Remi Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for donating N110 million to the families of 22 athletes who tragically lost their lives in an accident while returning from the National Sports Festival.
According to a press release signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mustapha Muhammad, the donation was delivered to the state government for onward distribution to the bereaved families.
The First Lady’s delegation was led by Hajiya Laila Barau Jibrin, wife of the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin.
She presented the cheque to Governor Yusuf, confirming that each family will receive N5 million, totaling N110 million during her visit in the state.
The deceased athletes were returning to Kano after participating in the National Sports Festival in Ogun State, where they had won several medals before their vehicle crashed just five kilometers away from Kano.
In his remarks, Governor Yusuf said, “This is not the first time Her Excellency, the First Lady, Remi Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has extended support to Kano State.”
He recalled previous donations including N200,000 each to 250 elderly women and N50,000 each to 500 women smallholder farmers.
He announced that a high-powered committee would be inaugurated to ensure the transparent distribution of the funds to the affected families.
Governor Yusuf also appreciated all individuals and organizations who have supported the victims’ families, as well as those who contributed to victims of the Farm Centre phone market fire incident, including Senator Barau Jibrin.