Tinubu sends Shettima to Kano over devastating singer market fire

Vice President Kashim Shettima will lead a high-powered Federal Government delegation to Kano following the devastating fire outbreak at Singer Market, on the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The President mandated the Vice President to visit Kano to commiserate with traders and residents affected by the inferno, which reportedly destroyed goods worth billions of naira. The delegation is scheduled to depart Abuja on Monday.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the visit is aimed at conveying the President’s heartfelt condolences and demonstrating the Federal Government’s solidarity with victims of the disaster.

President Tinubu also directed that the delegation pledge financial assistance on behalf of the Federal Government to support the affected traders and assist the Kano State Government in facilitating the swift reopening of the market.

Members of the delegation include Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin; Senator Kawu Ismaila; and Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Abubakar Kabir Bichi.

Also on the team are the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Bernard M. Doro, and the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs Zubaida Umar.

President Tinubu had earlier spoken by telephone with Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, expressing deep sympathy over the tragic incident.

The fire, which began on Saturday evening and raged into Sunday morning, caused extensive destruction at Singer Market, described as Nigeria’s largest food market. The President expressed particular concern that the latest outbreak occurred less than two weeks after a similar fire destroyed dozens of shops and property at the same market.

He has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the recurring market fires, stressing the need to determine their causes and prevent further devastation to traders and livelihoods.