By Ihechi Enyinnaya
Dutse, Jigawa State – Former presidential candidate Peter Obi visited Dutse today to express his condolences to Governor Alhaji Umar Namadi Dan Modi and the people of Jigawa State in the wake of a devastating petroleum tanker incident that claimed over 180 lives and left more than 80 others hospitalized.
The tragic event, which predominantly affected young individuals in their productive years, has been described by Obi as a national tragedy. During his visit, he offered prayers for the souls of the departed and strength for their bereaved families. He also pledged to contribute to the victims’ recovery efforts.
Obi acknowledged the government’s ongoing initiatives to alleviate suffering and support those affected by the explosion. “I appreciate and thank the government for the efforts they are making to help those in the hospital,” he stated.
In his remarks, Obi urged tanker drivers to exercise greater caution on the roads and called on all levels of government to provide sustainable livelihoods for citizens. He emphasized that economic stability could reduce the likelihood of such dangerous incidents, which have become alarmingly frequent in Nigeria.
“The frequency of tragedies in our nation has become a concerning issue,” Obi noted, advocating for collective prayers and the implementation of better infrastructure and laws to prevent future occurrences.
As the community mourns, the need for proactive measures to mitigate misfortune remains urgent. Obi concluded with a reminder that tragedies often result from a lack of necessary action and urged all stakeholders to take steps toward enhancing safety and preventing similar events in the future.