Following the heartbreaking road accident that claimed the lives of 20 athletes from Kano State, Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, a prominent Southwest chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), has joined the nation in mourning the tragic loss.
The athletes were returning from the National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State, when the bus transporting them veered off the Dakatsalle Bridge in Kura Local Government Area of Kano State. The horrific crash has plunged the state—and Nigeria’s sporting community—into deep mourning.
In a solemn condolence message to Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the families of the deceased, Ajadi expressed profound sorrow and disbelief over what he described as “an unspeakable tragedy that has shaken the soul of our nation.”
“My heart bleeds for the young, talented athletes whose lives were cut short in such a painful and untimely manner,” Ajadi said. “They were more than just sportsmen and women—they were beacons of hope, discipline, and national unity. Their loss is a deep wound in our collective heart.”
Ajadi, who contested as the NNPP’s governorship candidate in Ogun State in the 2023 general election, expressed concern for Nigeria’s young population and public infrastructure.
He urged both federal and state governments to urgently address the country’s deteriorating road conditions.
“We cannot continue to lose our brightest talents to infrastructure failures. The Dakatsalle Bridge, like many neglected structures across Nigeria, is a death trap. This tragedy is a wake-up call—what we need now is decisive action, not platitudes,” he declared.
The NNPP leader also criticized the lack of adequate transportation arrangements for athletes, stressing the need for Nigeria to adopt global best practices in supporting its sports talents.
Ajadi further called for national recognition of the deceased athletes, insisting they should not be remembered as mere victims, but as national heroes.
“These young athletes died in service to the nation—they are martyrs of Nigerian sports and unity. The federal government, alongside the governments of Ogun and Kano States, must ensure their families are cared for, and that posthumous honors are bestowed on these fallen heroes,” he urged.
Eyewitnesses report that the accident occurred when the bus driver lost control near the outdated and narrow bridge—long recognized as a hazardous point. Survivors of the crash are currently receiving treatment at Kura General Hospital, thanks to the swift intervention of emergency responders and local residents.
Describing the deceased as “ambassadors of peace and excellence,” Ajadi emphasized the need for their sacrifice to catalyze meaningful reform.
“Their loss must not be in vain. We must honor their memory not only with grief but with action—through lasting reforms in athlete welfare, road safety, and infrastructure development,” he stated.
He also proposed a national moment of silence during future sporting events and called on sports federations, the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, and political leaders to provide sustained support to the affected families—beyond symbolic condolences.
TAGS: Olufemi Ajadi, Kano State, NNPP