Sultan, Elegbeleye condole Mimiko, victims’ families over air crash

The Sultan of Sokoto and head of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has condoled with the Ondo State Government and the state Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, over the air crash in which the state lost some prominent indigenes.
This is also as the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, condoled with the families of the victims of the crash, which occurred in Lagos on Thursday.
The ill-fated flight, operated by Associated Airlines, was on its was to Akure from Lagos, bearing the remains of a former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu.
Though there are conflicting figures by different aviation agencies, no fewer than 13 of the 20 passengers and crew members on board have been confirmed dead.
The Sultan, in a statement signed by the Secretary General of the NSCIA, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, said: “This is to convey the heartfelt condolence and sympathy of the entire Muslim Community in Nigeria to Your Excellency, the Government and good people of Ondo State, over the death of your predecessor in office as Governor. The sudden death of Dr. Olusegun Agagu and the unfortunate plane crash which consumed the lives of some illustrious Nigerians including a member of your Cabinet were quite tragic and pathetic.
“The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) under the leadership of His Eminence, Dr. Muhammad Sa‘ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto regards the serial losses as those of the entire Nation as well as humanity at large. However, sad as the events are, we are conscious of the expansive capacity of Allah to comfort the affected
families, the State, and the entire Nation.
“It is, therefore our fervent prayer and confidence that Allah will grant the immediate families of the victims the required fortitude to bear the immeasurable loss. Amen!”
Elegbeleye equally commiserated with the families of those who lost their loved ones in Thursday’s plane crash in Lagos.
He sympathised with the state government and the people of Ondo State who are experiencing a harrowing time as a result of the demise of late Dr. Olusegun Agagu; Chief Olu Falae’s son, Deji; and other government officials who died in the crash.
He lamented that the state has lost brilliant and enterprising citizens in the last few weeks, whilst praying to God to console the bereaved and grant them the fortitude to bear the losses.