By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
In a show of compassion and national solidarity, the wife of Nigeria’s President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has donated ₦110 million to the families of 22 Kano athletes who tragically lost their lives in a fatal road accident earlier this year.
The donation, delivered through the Victim Support Fund, saw each bereaved family receive ₦5 million. According to Sanusi Tofa, spokesperson for the Kano State Governor, the financial support aims to help affected families cope with both the emotional and economic aftermath of the tragedy.
The Victim Support Fund, a government initiative, is designed to provide relief and rehabilitation for Nigerians impacted by emergencies, crises, or disasters. Tofa highlighted its role in restoring hope to those who have suffered profound loss, saying the support from the First Lady exemplifies leadership with empathy.
The Presidency also issued a statement commending the gesture as consistent with the principles of the Renewed Hope Agenda — President Bola Tinubu’s national development plan aimed at rebuilding trust in governance through meaningful, people-focused interventions.
The tragic accident occurred on May 31, 2025, along the Kano–Kaduna highway at Gadar Yankifi in Garun Malam Local Government Area. The victims — young athletes returning from the National Sports Festival held in Ogun State — were traveling in a Toyota Coaster Bus with registration number KN041 A17. The bus was carrying 32 passengers, including 31 men and one woman.
According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), 22 individuals died at the scene, while others sustained varying degrees of injuries. Survivor Ado Salisu recounted that the crash happened just hours before the team was expected to return to Kano.
The First Lady’s intervention has drawn praise from across the country, with many Nigerians viewing the donation as a reflection of unity, compassion, and a responsive government that stands by its citizens in moments of profound grief.
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