A delegation of prominent Kano business leaders and top government officials has appealed to the Federal Government to expedite the release of the N5 billion relief fund approved for victims of the Singer Market fire disaster.
The Punch reported that the appeal was made during a meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, according to a statement issued on Thursday by the spokesperson to the Kano State Governor, Sunusi Dawakin Tofa.
The delegation reminded the SGF of the Federal Government’s earlier commitment to assist thousands of traders whose businesses and sources of livelihood were devastated by the market inferno.
It noted that the timely disbursement of the intervention fund would ease the hardship faced by the affected traders and help restore commercial activities at the market.
During the meeting, members of the delegation thanked President Bola Tinubu for approving the intervention and urged the Federal Government to complete the necessary processes to ensure beneficiaries receive the support without further delay.
The delegation included the President of the Association of Kano Business Community, Alhaji Sabiu Bako; the Commissioner for Finance, Dr Ismail Danmaraya; APC National Ex-Officio, Muhammad Yusuf; Chairman of Singer Market, Junaidu Zakari; and businessman, Alhaji Kabiru Gano.
Responding, Akume assured the delegation that their concerns had been acknowledged, reiterating the Federal Government’s resolve to support those affected by the Singer Market fire.
Vice President Kashim Shettima had earlier announced the approval of the N5 billion intervention fund during the reception organised to welcome Governor Abba Yusuf into the All Progressives Congress.
The event marked Yusuf’s formal defection to the APC alongside 22 members of the Kano State House of Assembly, eight members of the House of Representatives and 44 local government chairmen on January 26, 2026.
Shettima also disclosed that the Progressive Governors’ Forum had pledged an additional N3 billion to assist victims of the disaster.
“Your Excellency, we join you today not only to sympathise with you over the fire outbreak at Singer Market that has disrupted the commercial life of this great state, but also to bring the promise of the Federal Government that we stand firmly with the good people of Kano.
“President Bola Tinubu has approved the release of N5bn to the Kano State Government as palliative support for this incident.
“The Progressive Governors’ Forum, under the able and confident leadership of Governor Hope Uzodimma, has also pledged N3bn in support of the victims of the Singer Market fire incident,” he said.
