Inuwa Yahaya, governor of Gombe State, on Tuesday led a state government delegation to the funeral prayers of seven journalists who lost their lives in a tragic road accident.
The journalists and media workers died in an auto crash along the Billiri–Kumo Road while returning from Kaltungo, where they had attended the wedding ceremony of a colleague.
The funeral prayer was held at the Bubayero Central Mosque, within the Emir’s Palace in Gombe, and was led by Imam Aliyu Hammari. It attracted a large turnout of sympathisers, including grieving family members, media colleagues and top government officials.
Governor Yahaya described the deaths as a painful loss to Gombe State and the journalism profession, noting that the state had lost dedicated professionals who served with commitment and integrity.
After the funeral prayers, the governor proceeded to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, where he visited survivors of the crash currently receiving medical attention.
Speaking to journalists after the visit, Yahaya expressed gratitude to God for sparing the lives of the injured and prayed for their speedy recovery.
“We must thank Almighty God for sparing their lives, not because they are better than those who passed on, but because it was destined so. Our most important duty now is to continue praying for their quick and complete recovery,” he said.
“For those who lost their lives, we will not relent in praying for the repose of their souls, in view of the enormous contributions they made to journalism and public service.”
The governor extended the state government’s condolences to the families of the deceased, their respective media organisations and the entire media fraternity, urging them to accept the loss as an act of God.
Yahaya also announced that the Gombe State Government had taken over the full medical bills of all the injured victims, assuring that the government would provide all necessary support to aid their recovery.
“As a government, we will do everything within our means to support the victims and their families in this difficult time,” he assured.
During his visit to the Accident and Emergency Unit, the governor was conducted round the ward by the Chairman of the Hospital Advisory Committee, Dr Bukar Lakube, and the Commissioner for Health, Dr Habu Dahiru, to assess the condition of the patients. He also extended financial support to other patients in the unit to help ease their burden.