A New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) chieftain, Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has blamed the tragic deaths of 22 athletes from Kano State on the terrible state of roads in the country.
A vehicle conveying the over 30 team members fell off the bridge around Dakatsalle, killing 22 persons.
They had just returned from the 22nd National Sports Festival which held in Ogun State with some of them already announcing their arrival in Kano to family and friends via phone.
“It is distressing that 20 promising young athletes who represented Kano State at the Gateway 2024 Games lost their lives in such avoidable circumstances,”; Ajadi said.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the NNPP Southwest chieftain said the incident was heartbreaking, suggesting that governments at all levels should urgently look into the issues of road safety and infrastructure.
He expressed his sorrow over the accident that happened only days before Eid-el-Kabir and said that the victims were returning home in high spirits after they had represented their state in a national event.
“These were bright, talented individuals with great potential to serve their state and country,”; he added.
Ajadi sympathised with the families of the victims, saying, “It’s a loss that strikes every mother and father and indeed every citizen.
“May the souls of these children be in peace and eternal rest,”; Ajadi prayed.
