The Kano State Government has declared Monday, June 2, 2025, as a public holiday to mourn and sympathize with the families of 22 young athletes, coaches, and officials who died in a ghastly auto crash while returning from the just-concluded National Sports Festival in Ogun State.
Governor Abba Yusuf, currently in Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj, described the accident as a “dark moment” for the state, saying it claimed the lives of some of Kano’s most promising youths.
The governor extended his deep sorrow and condolences to the bereaved families and the entire sports community, calling on the public to remain calm and united during this difficult time.
He assured them that the government would provide all necessary support to the families of the deceased and the injured survivors.
To honor their memories, the governor directed that Monday be observed as a public holiday, encouraging residents across the state to use the day to reflect, pray, and support the grieving families.
The state government also appealed to Islamic clerics and the wider Muslim community within and outside Kano to offer special prayers for the victims and ask for strength and patience for the bereaved families.
The accident occurred along the Kano-Zaria expressway, throwing the entire state into mourning, with the governor describing it as a collective loss.
