Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has donated ₦110 million to the families of the 22 athletes from Kano who lost their lives in a tragic road accident earlier this year.
The donation, made through the Victim Support Fund, provided ₦5 million to each of the bereaved families.
In a statement by the Kano State Government’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the gesture was described as part of efforts “aimed at easing the burden of loss and supporting their recovery.”
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf also made a separate contribution of ₦130 million.
According to the breakdown, each of the 22 families received an additional ₦5 million, while the ten surviving but injured athletes got ₦2 million each along with a plot of land.
Before these new interventions, the state government had given an initial ₦22 million – ₦1 million to each family and ₦500,000 to each of the injured athletes shortly after the accident.
Governor Yusuf, while responding to the First Lady’s gesture, said: “This is a clear demonstration of compassion, leadership, and shared humanity.”
He added that Senator Tinubu’s intervention had “significantly complemented the state’s efforts in standing with the victims’ families during their moment of grief.”
Other donations include ₦32 million from the Ogun State Government, ₦20 million from the Jigawa State Government, and ₦2.2 million from Engr. Sagir Koki. In total, financial support for the victims and their families has reached ₦321.2 million, along with 30 bags of rice and housing plots.
The funds were disbursed during a special distribution ceremony by the Kano State Accountant General.
Governor Yusuf also announced the renaming of the Kano Sports Institute in Karfi to “Kano 22 Athletes Institute,” in honour of the deceased.
To ensure fairness in the distribution of the funds, Sharia courts have been assigned to oversee the disbursement of the first tranche of ₦6,709,375 to each of the 22 families.
Speaking during the event, Alhaji Baffa Indabawa, who spoke on behalf of the victims’ families, said: “This is a deeply consoling and dignified response to our tragedy.”
