Your Excellency Sir, I write to welcome you back home from the Holy Land after you successfully performed this year’s Hajj, in which you also doubled as the state’s Amilrul-Hajj, I pray that the Lord hears and answers all of your prayers. Ameen.
Sir, I know you are completely aware of all that occurred while you were gone in a faraway Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj, when a heavy magnificent tragedy struck the state one Saturday when a Coaster bus carrying a team of athletes, authorities, and others nose dived into a bridge.
On one Black Saturday, a tragic event occurred near Dakatsalle village, a few kilometers from the state capital, killing 22 athletes and some of their officials on their way home from Ogun State, the venue of the recently concluded National Sports Festival.
Sir, I decided to take this opportunity to convey my condolences to you and the state about the tragedy that struck your state, Kano, in history, and to pray for those who died as well as those who experienced varying degrees of injury.
For sure it was a massive and irrevocable loss for the state, unprecedented in recent memory. I pray to Allah (SWT) to give you, their families, and the entire Kano people the strength to face and bear these irreparable losses, ameen.
My prayer is also for Allah to pardon their shortcomings, provide them eternal peace, and prevent it from happening again in the future, ameen.
Sir, without a doubt, that horrible Saturday was a sad and unfortunate day for not just sports stakeholders, but also the state and the entire country.
And I am confident that hearing these tragic news while away will not only grieve you, but also horrify and move you when the news of the catastrophe was first transmitted to you while in the Holy Land owing to its significance.
But I am pleased to inform you that your deputy governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, responded quickly and effectively to the uncomfortable and dreadful situation. He did exactly what you would do if you were present.
Comrade Gwarzo clearly proved to be a capable lieutenant, deserving honor and accolade because he did exactly as expected of him in his role as your deputy.
Gwarzo’s timely visits to Nasarawa Hospital, where the deceased’s remains were deposited, and Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital, where seven injured athletes are being treated, demonstrate your administration’s concern for its citizens.
In addition to paying tribute to the fallen and victims of the awful catastrophe, Comrade Gwarzo declared a monetary gift of one million Naira to each of the families affected by the unfortunate event, as well as other items.
That is why your deputy’s actions revealed the government’s concern for the situation and readiness to assist the injured and fallen martyrs.
Because he informed the bereaved families that the government has vowed to support them all throughout the long process of healing and recovery, not just during their time of grief.
“As the young men were returning from a national assignment after representing Kano with distinction, the tragedy struck, making it a very sad day for the state and the nation as a whole,” Comrade Gwarzo stated during his visit to them.
Your Excellency. Sir, there was no doubt that the government’s monetary and other material assistance to the families of the fallen athletes by your representative was an outstanding and honorable gesture.
We observed the gesture and thought it was amazing because it would help affected families deal with the difficulties of losing a loved one suddenly.
The gesture will undoubtedly serve as a reminder that your administration is very concerned about and committed to the well-being of its residents, regardless of where they are or may be.
But, Sir, I am sure you are well aware that the vast majority of the deceased sportsmen and officials were family men with dependents, including children and other relatives, to look after and maintain.
I was reliably informed that several of the deceased athletes and officials left behind spouses, school-aged children, and other dependable relationships that relied heavily or entirely on them, and they are no longer with them.
That undoubtedly implies immense grief and suffering for the families of the dead athletes, as well as their officials, who have lost breadwinners.
In light of these tragic and irreversible losses, I am presenting a well-organized analysis of the issues and challenges that the families of the Kano Team’s slain athletes are currently facing, as well as recommendations for government action.
I am convinced that if you read them carefully, you will recognize that the government must act in order to provide assistance to the bereaved family. This is because they lost their precious lives during active service to the state.
1. Emotional and psychological issues.
The emotional and psychological weight refers to the long-term emotional scars, pain, and bereavement experienced by the deceased’s parents, siblings, spouses, and children.
That means the absence of parental affection and emotional support might be tough for surviving children and dependents of the deceased.
2. Economic and Livelihood Hardship.
We know that many of the victims in this case were the primary breadwinners. Their families are currently facing unforeseen financial difficulty as a result of their deaths.
As a result, it would be alarming if widows without jobs or consistent income sources were unable to feed and support their families, pay school fees, or afford high-quality healthcare.
3. Social stigma and marginalization.
In communities like ours, where athletes are undervalued, their widows and orphans are bound to endure loneliness or a lack of support.
Furthermore, public sympathy may disappear with time, leaving families to face difficulty on their own, even if they get occasional support and aid.
4. Bureaucratic and Institutional Delays.
Delays in pension, benefit, and compensation systems caused by bureaucracy may exacerbate their situation.
Another problem is the lack of a specific government response strategy for athletes who die while serving the state.
Proposed Solutions:
Your Excellency Sir, from the above, here are possible solutions.
1. Immediate and Long-term Financial Relief
This relates to the payment of gratuity and the timely payment of pensions to surviving family members via an executive directive by you to the Pension Board.
That means families of the deceased must get monthly stipends in order to be financially stable.
2. Educational Scholarship Program.
All of the athletes’ children, from their current level to university, must be eligible for full government scholarships.
When necessary, the government should work with respectable domestic or foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to assist children with special education requirements.
3. Employment and Empowerment Support.
Widows and adult dependents of the deceased should be immediately qualified for training or employment opportunities in state-sponsored or public service programs.
Alternatively, impacted family members should be enrolled in vocational training or company start-up grants.
4. Housing and Land Allocation
As a permanent asset and form of reparation, the government should give each bereaved family a plot of land or a state-funded home.
To improve livelihood opportunities, the government should prioritize the placement of land sites in metropolitan or semi-urban regions.
Memorial recommendations to honor the deceased
1. Infrastructure Naming: At the Mahaha Sports Complex or Kano State Sports Commission, the government should consider naming a hall, pavilion, or stadium wing after “Team Kano 22 Martyrs.”
Permanent plaques with the names and photographs of the deceased should also be considered for public sporting arenas.
2. Annual Sports Event in Their Memory: To honor their legacy and stimulate sports growth, the government might direct the Sports Commission to organize an annual memorial sports competition (such as the “Team Kano Heroes Cup”).
3. State Sports Fund in Their Name: Create a “Fallen Athletes Support Fund” to assist the families of athletes who die or become disabled while serving. Utilize the money to aid in the recovery and reintegration of injured athletes into society.
General policy recommendations for the government
1. Athlete Welfare and Protection Policy: The government should enact a State Athlete Protection Act that includes health insurance, pension plans for registered sports employees, and insurance for all athletes on state or national assignments.
2. Emergency Response Framework: In order to respond to crises like this swiftly, transparently, and ethically, they should establish a Special Sports Disaster Response Unit.
3. National Integration through Sports: Through national campaigns, the government should exploit the tale of the Kano athletes to promote resilience, national unity, and young empowerment.
Finally, while the government’s rapid response to the disaster was good and demonstrated compassion, long-term, institutionalized assistance is what will truly honor the sacrifices of the slain sportsmen.
This tragedy should act as a catalyst for changing Nigeria’s approach to athlete welfare, disaster readiness, and legacy preservation.
There are several ways to accomplish this, the first being for the government to instruct the Pension Board to distribute the deceased athletes’ annuities immediately.
As low income earners, the government should also offer land and housing for the departed family to relocate immediately.
Additionally, the government must take over responsibility of the athletes’ children’s education right away, from their current level to university.
In order to honor them collectively rather than individually, the government should also think about setting up a hall, office, or other facility inside the stadium, Mahaha Sports Complex, or sports commission.
To lessen the burden of losing their breadwinner, the government can perhaps think about giving the deceased’s widow or kids jobs.
All of these activities are intended to offer thanks and compassion for the fallen heroes who died while serving the state.
Lastly, the government needs to create rules that would henceforth restrict night trips to all athletes of the state.
Henceforth, any team that will be travelling out should be directed to leave in the morning and break the trip anywhere when it is 6pm or 6.30pm.
Your government could also modernize the Sports Commission’s and Kano Pillars’ transportation units by giving them with not only new but modern buses to make their trips more convenient and comfortable.
This is because the two agencies are battling with very old, unserviceable and outdated vehicles
Once again welcome back home.
Ina adduar Allah ya karbi dukkanin addu’o’in ka baki dayansu ameen.
