Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for Kano State to lead a high-powered Federal Government delegation to commiserate with victims of the Singer Market fire disaster.
The fire, which reportedly started on Saturday evening and raged into Sunday morning, caused extensive damage to the market. President Bola Tinubu had expressed regret that this is the second fire at the same market in less than two weeks.
Following the development, Tinubu directed the delegation to convey the Federal Government’s condolences and pledge financial assistance to affected traders. The team is also expected to assure the Kano State Government of federal support towards the swift reopening of the market.
Members of the delegation include Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas; Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin; Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani; Senator Kawu Ismaila; and Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Rep. Abubakar Kabir Bichi.
Also on the delegation are the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, and former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.
Following the condolence visit, the Vice President is scheduled to formally receive Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, into the All Progressives Congress (APC), weeks after the governor announced his defection to the ruling party.