Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic death of athletes and officials from Kano State who lost their lives in a road accident while returning from the 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF), tagged Gateway 2025, held in Ogun State.
The fatal crash occurred on Saturday as the contingent was making its way back home after participating in the national event.
In a condolence message personally signed on Monday, Senator Ningi described the incident as heartbreaking and a national tragedy that demands collective mourning.
“When I received the news of the incident, it came as a rude shock. On behalf of the Senate Committee on Sports and the entire Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I am deeply pained by the loss of lives in the auto crash involving young athletes, officials, and journalists,” he stated.
Senator Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central Senatorial District and is a former President of the Nigeria Hockey Federation, described the tragedy as “shocking, tragic, and unfortunate,” urging the country to reflect on the safety of sportsmen and women who travel long distances to represent their states and the nation.
He also extended condolences to the bereaved families, the Government of Kano State, the Federal Government, and the broader Nigerian sports community.
“This is a painful moment for our nation. These were young, promising individuals who had gone to represent their state in the spirit of unity and sportsmanship. Their untimely deaths are a great loss not only to Kano State but to Nigeria as a whole,” he added.
Senator Ningi further condoled with the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC), the umbrella body overseeing sports development in the country, describing the loss as a major setback for the Nigerian sports family.
