Kano market fire very disturbing, Jonathan says

Written by Daily Trust Monday, 15 March 2010

ShareActing President Jonathan Goodluck yesterday sympathized with victims of the recent fire incident in Kantin Kwari Market in Kano State. Jonathan who sent a Federal Government delegation to commiserate with the victims and assess the level of damage described the fire as “very disturbing.”

The delegation which arrived the scene of the inferno around 12pm yesterday was led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Alhaji Yayale Ahmed and was conducted round the affected areas by the Chairman of the Kantin Kwari Market Traders Association Alhaji Bature Abdul’aziz.

The delegation included the Minister of  the Federal Capital Territory Alhaji Adamu Aliero, Minister of State for Health Dr. Aliyu Hong, the National Security Adviser retired General Aliyu Gusau  and other senior government officials.

“The Acting President sent us to convey his sympathy and that of the country to the people of Kano, especially the traders who have sufffered this great loss”, the SGF said.

He said they would assess the level of damage at the market to see how the Federal Government could assist those affected by the inferno. He said the incident did not only affect Nigeria, but the entire region.

He advised the victims to take solace in God,saying Kano had achieved its status as a successful commercial city because of its people’s fate in destiny, whether good or bad.

“Because of your fate in Allah, I’m sure in two years time, this tragedy will be history. You will  bounce back as though this incident never occurred,” he  said.

He prayed Allah to grant eternal rest to those who died. Earlier, the delegation visited Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau who appealed to Federal Government to assist in rehabilitating the victims of the disaster, saying the state government could not handle the project alone. Shekarau commended Acting President Jonathan Goodluck for dispatching a delegation to assess the level of damage.

He also commended the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Kano State Fire Service for their efforts in putting out the fire.

Former President Ibrahim Babangida, the Emir of Daura Alhaji Umar Faruk and Chairman of the Jama’atul Izalatul Bid’a wa Ikamatusunna Muhammad Sani Yahaya Jingir also sympathized with the affected traders.

Babangida who was represented by Colonel Habibu Shu’aibu prayed God to repay the victims. The Emir of Daura and Sheikh Jingir prayed for the souls of the deceased.