The Federal Government and governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have pledged a total of N8 billion to support traders affected by the recent fire outbreak at Singer Market in Kano.
Vice President Kashim Shettima announced that the Federal Government would donate N5 billion, while APC governors across the country would collectively contribute N3 billion to assist victims of the inferno.
Shettima made the announcement on Monday while representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the official reception of Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf into the APC. The event was held at the Sani Abacha Stadium.
According to the Vice President, the Federal Government was deeply disturbed by the fire incident that razed the popular Singer Market last Saturday, leading to massive destruction of goods and property worth billions of naira.
“Your Excellency, we join you today not only to sympathise with you over the fire outbreak at Singer Market that has disrupted the commercial life of this great state, but to come bearing the promise of the Federal Government that we stand firmly with the good people of Kano,” Shettima said.
He disclosed that President Tinubu had approved the release of N5 billion to the Kano State Government as palliative support for victims of the disaster.
He added that the APC Governors’ Forum, under the leadership of Hope Uzodimma, had also pledged N3 billion to the affected traders.
“Together, we have collectively contributed N8 billion to the victims of the fire disaster. That is the essence of belonging to the centre; that is the beauty of aligning with the central government. Kano is too big to play in the periphery,” Shettima stated.
He noted that Governor Yusuf’s decision to join the APC would position the state for greater inclusion and prosperity within the national framework.
“Kano is so important that we cannot afford it to be on the sidelines,” he added, congratulating the governor, 22 lawmakers, members of the National Assembly and 44 local government chairmen who defected with him to the ruling party.
The Vice President expressed sympathy to the affected traders, stressing that while no amount of money could fully compensate for their losses, the donation was intended to cushion the impact and help them rebuild their businesses.
He assured them of the Federal Government’s continued support in the face of unforeseen tragedies.
The fire, which reportedly destroyed goods worth billions of naira, has left many traders counting their losses and appealing for urgent intervention from the government and well-meaning Nigerians.
In his response, Governor Yusuf commended the Federal Government for the N5 billion donation and praised APC governors for their collective N3 billion support.
He explained that his decision to join the APC was not driven by personal interest but by the desire to align Kano State with the central government in order to attract development projects and critical infrastructure.
“Kano is our collective state. The only meaningful contribution we can make is to use this office to bring development to our people. We joined the ruling party not for personal gain but to advance the interests of our state,” Yusuf said.
He assured the people of Kano that he would not disappoint the confidence reposed in him, promising to work towards sustained growth and improved welfare for residents.
