Buhari, Dogara, NANS Mourn Death Of 22 Bauchi Students

President Muhammadu Buhari has sympathised with the people of Bauchi State over the death of 22 students and three teachers who died on their way to Kano for an excursion on Tuesday.

The President, in a condolence message issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, prayed to Allah to accept the souls of the deceased and forgive their sins.

Buhari also mourned a former chairman Bank of the North, Muhammad Lugga who died after a protracted illness.

According to the statement, the president recalled “with pride how Lugga used his extensive experience to revive the defunct Bank of the North which was at the verge of collapse on account of poor management”.

The President extended his condolences to the Government of Zamfara State and family of the late Lugga and prayed to Allah to forgive his gentle soul.

In another condolence message, Buhari expressed his deep sympathies to the Baba-Ahmed family, the government and people of Kaduna state over the death of Mahmoon, a reputable journalist known for “courage, statesmanship and professionalism”.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has also commiserated with the families and the people of Bauchi State over the death of the 22 students.

In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by Turaki Hassan, his Special Adviser on Media & Public Affairs, Dogara said: “I am deeply saddened by the untimely and sudden death of these children.

“They died while pursuing education and in a quest for knowledge as future leaders of our country. This is a national tragedy of monumental proportion and a huge loss to the country.

“These children embodied our hopes and aspirations for a better society and their sudden death is a big loss to Nigeria because only God knows what they could have become in the future.

“I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to their parents, students and teachers of Government Secondary School Misau, Misau Emirate Council and the entire Bauchi State over this tragic incident.”

Mr. Dogara prayed that their gentle souls rest in perfect peace and such tragic incident not to occur again.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) also sent deep condolences to the people of Bauchi State over the tragedy.

“NANS received with shock the sad news of the death of the students of Government Day Junior Secondary School, Misau, Bauchi State, alongside their teachers in a ghastly motor accident on Kano-Gaya Road.

“We commiserate with the parents and relatives of the victims as well as extend our sympathy to the management of the school, Bauchi State Wing of NUT and friends of the victims,’’ NANS said.

The association therefore, called for thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.