Vice-President Kashim Shettima on Monday announced a N5 billion federal government intervention for traders affected by the fire that ravaged parts of the Singer Market in Kano.
The vice-president made this known during a sympathy visit to the market, which was gutted by fire on Saturday.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Shettima led a federal delegation to Kano following a directive by Bola Tinubu, who asked him to convey the federal government’s sympathy and support to victims of the incident.
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In a statement issued on Sunday evening, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said the fire started on Saturday evening and continued into Sunday morning, destroying sections of Singer Market, described as Nigeria’s largest food market.
The statement noted that President Tinubu was particularly concerned that the incident occurred less than two weeks after a previous fire destroyed several shops and property at the same market.
Tinubu Pledges Financial Support for Victims
Onanuga said the delegation was mandated to convey the president’s condolences to traders who lost goods worth billions of naira in the latest fire, which marked the second incident at the market within two weeks.
He added that the delegation would also pledge financial assistance to support affected traders and help Kano State authorities ensure the prompt reopening of the market.
Speaking during the visit, Shettima said the intervention was aimed at helping traders rebuild their businesses and restore commercial activities at the market.
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“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the sum of N5 billion to support traders affected by the Singer Market fire,” the vice-president said.
“The federal government stands with you in this moment of hardship and will continue to provide the necessary support.”
Describing the fire as a national tragedy, Shettima said the impact of the incident went beyond Kano State, affecting the country as a whole.
The vice-president was accompanied on the visit by the governors of Jigawa, Kebbi and Imo states. He also offered prayers for the victims and expressed hope that such an incident would not occur again.
Reacting, Junaid Zakari, chairman of the Singer Market Traders’ Association, thanked the federal government for what he described as a timely and generous intervention.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
