Kano Government playing to the gallery over avoidable deaths
By Chukwuma Ohaka
Once again, tragedy has struck—and once again, we see a familiar pattern: condolences, photo-ops, solemn speeches, and promises that lead nowhere. This time, it is the heartbreaking case of Kano State athletes who lost their lives in a ghastly motor accident while returning from the National Sports Festival held in Ogun State. These were young, vibrant individuals—our future—who died needlessly due to poor planning and government negligence. And now, the Kano State Government is playing to the gallery, offering tears and tributes where foresight and responsible leadership would have saved lives.
Prevention is greater than mourning
It is said that leadership is measured not only by how problems are solved but by how crises are prevented. Preventable deaths, like those of these young athletes, highlight not just a gap in logistics but a fundamental disregard for the sanctity of human life—especially when it concerns ordinary citizens, not elites. There is a culture in our governance where empathy is retroactive. Leaders wait for calamity to strike before showing concern. But leadership is proactive. The question must be asked: where was the planning? Where was the anticipation of risk? Where was the value for life?
An avoidable tragedy
Let us consider the facts. Ogun State is located over 800 kilometers from Kano. That is more than 13 hours of travel by road under optimal conditions. Even a fully conditioned and roadworthy vehicle is under strain over such a distance, not to mention the risks of driver fatigue, bad roads, and the many other dangers associated with long-distance road travel in Nigeria. Athletes, who had just competed at a national event, were subjected to this grueling journey without adequate protection. This is indefensible.
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Worse still, the justification that Ogun lacks an airport falls flat. Would this have been acceptable if it were government officials traveling? Certainly not. The same state officials would have either made arrangements for chartered flights or used neighboring airports with onward land transportation of minimal distance and stress. Why, then, are the lives of our athletes worth less?
Two Nigerias: The elites and everyone else
This tragedy underscores the stark reality that the Nigerian government—at both federal and state levels—continues to prioritize itself over the very people it claims to serve. When public officials travel, the logistics are meticulous: air-conditioned convoys, chartered flights, security details, hotel accommodations. But when it comes to the youth representing their state and nation, we see cost-cutting at the expense of human lives.
These young athletes trained hard, gave their all, and brought pride to their state. They deserved better. The least they deserved was safe passage—there is no justifiable reason why air travel could not be arranged, even if it meant landing at a nearby airport like Lagos or Ibadan and proceeding by road for a short leg. This is not about luxury; it is about safety, dignity, and value for human life.
Stop the optics, start the action
The Kano State Government must rise above performative mourning. Enough of flags at half-mast, condolence statements, and one-minute silences. We demand accountability and systemic change. What are the concrete measures being put in place to ensure this never happens again? Will athletes and other delegations henceforth be provided with air travel or safer alternatives for long-distance trips? Will there be proper insurance, roadworthiness verification, and fatigue checks for drivers? Or are we waiting for another round of needless deaths before we “express shock” again?
Conclusion
Tragedy must not become routine. The blood of these young athletes cries out—not just for justice, but for change. It is time our leaders stopped playing to the gallery and started valuing the lives of the ordinary citizens who put them in office. Governance must be about people, not performances.
May the souls of the departed rest in peace—and may their deaths not be in vain.
