The Nasarawa State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Amb. Lucky Isaac Yargwa, on Tuesday, led the Management of the Ministry to pay condolence visits to the families of two athletes of the Ministry, Aliyu Mohammed (Para Powerlifting) and Maria Raphael (Taekwondo) who died recently in motor accidents in Lafia.
The Commissioner also handed monetary support of the Ministry to the affected families, assuring that Government would lend more assistance to them to ease their plights.
Amb. Yargwa who said the Ministry and sports world are yet to recover from the rude shock from the devastating incidents, described the late athletes as major stakeholders as their success stories helped to validate the Governor Abdullahi Sule-led administration’s unwavering commitments to youth and sports development, placing Nasarawa State on the sports map.
“Those athletes were among the best in all ramifications the State has ever produced.
“We are devastated and bewildered by the sad commentaries of their passage.
“But, who are we to question God? He owns our lives and He can take it whichever way and any day He so wishes.
“We return all glory and honour to Him.
“However, our prayer is that we should meet God at the right time whenever He calls.”
While praying for the repose of their souls in heaven, the Commissioner equally prayed God to grant the deceased families the fortitude to overcome the loss of their loved ones.
Para Power-lifting athlete, Aliyu Mohammed, died after he was knocked down by a vehicle which swerved off its path on 18th August, 2022, along Shabu-Lafia express road.
Eight days later, Taekwondo medalist, Maria Raphael, after returning from a Championship in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State where she won Silver medal for Team Nasarawa, was crushed to death when the motorcycle she boarded on her way to purchase some items from a grocery store rammed into a moving truck along UAC road, Lafia.
The late Aliyu Mohammed has since been buried according to Islamic rites in Lafia but the final internment for the remains of Maria Raphael would be performed on 8th September, 2022, at Neke town, Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State.
/Eche Amos
