Crowd attends funeral prayers for 7 NTA journalists killed in car crash in Gombe
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, on Tuesday led a state government delegation to funeral prayers for journalists who lost their lives in a tragic auto crash, while also visiting survivors receiving treatment at the Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Gombe.
The victims were among journalists and media workers involved in the fatal accident along the Billiri–Kumo Road as they returned from Kaltungo, where they had attended the wedding ceremony of a colleague.
The funeral prayers were held at the Bubayero Central Mosque within the Emir’s Palace in Gombe and were led by Imam Aliyu Hammari. The solemn gathering drew a large number of mourners, including grieving family members, colleagues from the media industry and senior government officials.
Also present was the Emir of Gombe, His Royal Highness Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III, CFR.
Visibly moved, Governor Inuwa Yahaya described the death of the seven journalists as a profound loss to Gombe State and the journalism profession, noting that the state had lost committed professionals who served with dedication.
Following the prayers, the Governor proceeded to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, to personally assess the condition of survivors who are currently undergoing medical treatment.
Speaking to journalists after the visit, the Governor expressed gratitude to God for sparing the lives of those 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. 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 said.
He extended the state government’s condolences to the families of the deceased, their respective organisations and the entire media fraternity, urging them to accept the tragedy as an act of God.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya further announced that the Gombe State Government has taken over the full medical bills of all injured victims, assuring that no effort would be spared in supporting them through 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 the visit to the Accident and Emergency Unit, the Governor was taken 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 patients’ condition. He also offered financial assistance to other patients in the unit to ease the burden on them and their families.
The Governor was accompanied by his Deputy, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau; the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi; commissioners; and other top government officials.
