From Desmond Mgboh, Kano

Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has donated ₦110 million to the families of the 22 Kano athletes who lost their lives in a tragic accident earlier this year.

In a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, each family received ₦5 million through the First Lady’s intervention under the Victim Support Fund, which is aimed at easing the burden of loss and supporting their recovery.

In a similar gesture, Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, also provided an additional ₦130 million, with each of the ten injured athletes receiving ₦2 million and a plot of land, while the families of the deceased received an additional ₦5 million each.

Earlier, the state had donated an initial ₦22 million, with ₦1 million given to each bereaved family and ₦500,000 to each of the injured persons shortly after the accident.

Yusuf expressed deep appreciation to the First Lady, describing her intervention as “a clear demonstration of compassion, leadership, and shared humanity”.

He noted that her support has significantly complemented the state’s efforts in standing with the victims’ families during their moment of grief.

Other notable donations, according to the statement, included ₦32 million from the Ogun State Government, ₦20 million from the Jigawa State Government, and ₦2.2 million from Sagir Koki.

The statement noted that, altogether, the total financial support extended to the victims and their families reached ₦321.2 million, alongside 30 bags of rice and housing plots.

Governor Yusuf also announced the renaming of the Kano Sports Institute in Karfi to “Kano 22 Athletes Institute” as a lasting tribute to the deceased athletes.

To ensure fair Islamic inheritance distribution, Sharia courts have been assigned to oversee the disbursement of ₦6,709,375 to each of the 22 families for the first tranche.

Speaking on behalf of the bereaved families, Baffa Indabawa, the Chairman of the victims’ relatives, extended profound gratitude to both the First Lady and the Kano State Government for what he called “a deeply consoling and dignified response” to their tragedy.

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