Former Senate President Saraki’s Football Team suffer ghastly auto crash

On Monday, February 3, 2025, the team bus of Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Ilorin FC, a Nigerian football club, was involved in a ghastly accident along the Ogbomoso-Ilorin Expressway in Oyo State.

The team was returning to Ilorin, Kwara State, from Lagos State after a league match against Sporting Lagos.

No Fatalities, But Injuries Reported
Fortunately, no lives were lost in the accident, but some players and officials sustained critical injuries.

An official of the team confirmed the incident, stating that the injured persons were receiving medical attention at nearby hospitals.

A Recurring Problem in Nigerian Football
This incident is not an isolated one, as Nigerian football clubs have experienced similar accidents in the past.

In June 2024, several players were injured when the team bus of Doma United was involved in an accident along the Makurdi-Lafia Expressway in Benue.

In 2020, Ifeanyi George, a player of Enugu Rangers Football Club, was killed in a car accident.

ABS Ilorin FC
ABS Ilorin FC has a rich history, having been founded in 2004 as Bukola Babes before being renamed in 2011.

The club has played in the Nigeria Professional Football League and has a strong following in the country.

Who is Abubakar Bukola Saraki?

Bukola Saraki was born on December 19, 1962, in London, England.

He studied medicine at the London Hospital Medical College, graduating as a medical doctor in 1986.

After completing his medical studies, Saraki worked as a medical officer at Rush Green Hospital in London.

Saraki’s entry into politics was influenced by his father, Olusola Saraki, who was a prominent politician and senator in Nigeria.

Bukola Saraki began his political career in 2000 when he was appointed as the Special Assistant to the President on Budget by President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Governor of Kwara State
In 2003, Saraki was elected as the Governor of Kwara State, a position he held for two terms until 2011.

During his tenure as governor, Saraki implemented various development projects, including the establishment of the Kwara State University, the construction of new roads and bridges, and the improvement of healthcare services.

Senator and Senate President
In 2011, Saraki was elected as a Senator representing the Kwara Central Senatorial District.

He was re-elected in 2015 and became the President of the Nigerian Senate, a position he held until 2019.

As Senate President, Saraki played a key role in shaping Nigeria’s legislative agenda, including the passage of several important bills, such as the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit Bill.

Post-Senate Career
After leaving the Senate in 2019, Saraki has continued to be involved in politics and public service.

Saraki has also been involved in various initiatives and organizations, including the Abubakar Bukola Saraki Foundation, which focuses on promoting education, healthcare, and economic development.

Awards and Recognition
Saraki has received several awards and recognition for his contributions to Nigerian politics and public service. Some of his notable awards include:

– National Honor of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in 2010
– Kwara State Merit Award in 2011
– African Leadership Magazine’s African Politician of the Year Award in 2016

Overall, Bukola Saraki has had a distinguished career in medicine, politics, and public service.

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