The Federal Government on Monday donated N5 billion as intervention fund for the traders affected by the fire outbreak that razed large sections of the popular Singer Market in Kano.
Vice-President, Kashim Shettima announced the donation when he led the Federal Government’s delegation to condole with the traders at the market on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors under the aegis of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), also donated N3 billion to the victims of the inferno.
Shettima, who sympathised with the traders, prayed to Almighty God to prevent the recurrence of fire disasters in the market.
The vice-president also formally received Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State and his teeming supporters into the APC’s fold on behalf of the president.
Shettima reiterated Tinubu’s assurance that the governor’s place in the governing party was second to none.
He stated that the governor’s decision to join the governing party had strengthened the collective resolve of the Tinubu administration and the party to build a more inclusive and prosperous nation.
“Your Excellency, we have watched the transformation that Kano had undergone under your leadership.
” We have seen a commitment to people-centred governance and a respect for the mandate of history.
“Today, we are proud to welcome you aboard the All Progressives Congress train.
“We welcome you with open hands and open hearts. His Excellency, Bola Tinubu has made it abundantly clear that your place in this party is second to none.
” And that your presence strengthens our collective resolve to build a more inclusive and prosperous Nigeria,” he stated.
Shettima described Kano as “an eloquent expression of Nigeria’s cosmopolitan soul” and a state that “welcomes every Nigerian, absorbs every accent, accommodates every ambition, and turns diversity into destiny.”
Shettima acknowledged the state’s contributions to Nigeria, which he said, “it stretched far beyond the arithmetic of elections.
“In commerce, Kano has been the heartbeat of enterprise and trade. In scholarship, it has produced minds that interrogate power and redefine ideas.
” In politics, in culture, in faith, in industry, Kano has consistently offered Nigeria more than it has ever demanded in return.
” This is a state whose influence transcends geography and whose legacy outgrows any single political moment.”
The vice-president recalled that Kano had gifted Nigeria “towering figures who reshaped” the nation’s “political philosophy and moral imagination.”
He cited prominent politicians like the late Alhaji Maitama Sule and Alhaji Aminu Kano as examples.
Shettima described the governor of Kano as “another visionary son of Kano,” observing that the governor and his supporters were on “a political journey that speaks to the future of” Nigeria.
“His Excellency, Gov. Abba Yusuf, may be a man of few words, but his principles speak loudly.
” They speak in the language of conviction. They speak in the language of discipline. They speak in the language of service.
” They speak in a tone that cannot be doubted because they are anchored in consistency and guided by purpose,” he stated.
Shettima sympathised with Yusuf over the fire outbreak at the Singer Market, assuring that the government at the centre would work collaboratively with the state “to ensure that support is extended to all those affected.
The Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, said d that with the governor’s defection to the APC, Kano was now in the main stream of Nigerian politics and will benefit more from the government at the centre.
“What this means is that Kano will begin to benefit more from the national government.
“We will have more infrastructure and healthcare delivery as well as all other facets of development.
” When you (Governor Yusuf) complete your eight years, Kano will become an eldorado,” he said.
The Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, said the coming of Yusuf into the APC was very important and strategic for the party.
“Kano is the powerhouse of our democracy, and today, Allah has made it possible for the governor to move and this will be the beginning of the coming of so many good things to Kano.
” The future of Kano will be brighter under him,” the speaker assured.
The National Chairman of APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, said the governor had made the right move by joining the APC, and the state was set to reap the benefits of the decision.
He praised the infrastructural development witnessed by the state under the governor, assuring that the party will support him to do more for the State.
Yilwatda handed over the symbolic APC flag to the governor and some federal legislators who also decamped to the APC.
The Chairman, Progressive Governors’ Forum, Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo, described Yusuf as an original breed of the APC who “only went on sabbatical and has returned home.”
Uzodinma urged supporters and local government Chairmen in the state to work hard to ensure victory for APC, saying that Tinubu was happy with the political development in Kano.
Responding, Yusuf said his official entry into the APC was a very important occasion and a defining moment for the state, adding, “the reason for politics should always be to serve the people.”
The governor said he decided to join the APC family in order to deliver results for the people of Kano.
He added that all the decisions he had taken as a governor were guided by the need to better the lot of the people. (NAN)