Singer Market Inferno: FG, APC Govs Donate N8bn To Kano Traders

As VP Shettima receives Yusuf into APC, says governor’s place in party is second to none

By: Our Reporter

The Federal Government has approved the sum of N5 billion as intervention fund for traders affected by the fire outbreak that razed large sections of the popular Singer Market in Kano.

This is just as state governors on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), under the aegis of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), also donated N3 billion to victims of the inferno, totalling N8 billion to provide relief to hundreds of affected traders.

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, who announced the donations on Monday when he led a Federal Government delegation to condole with traders at the market on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, sympathized with the traders, praying Almighty God to prevent future occurrence of fire disaster in the market.

Senator Shettima also formally received Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State and his teeming supporters into the APC fold on behalf of the President.

Speaking during the grand reception to welcome Governor Yusuf to the APC at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, the Vice President reiterated President Tinubu’s assurance that the governor’s place in the governing party was second to none.

He noted that the governor’s decision to join the governing party has strengthened the collective resolve of the Tinubu administration and the party to build a more inclusive and prosperous nation.ll

“Your Excellency, we have watched the transformation that Kano has 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 Ahmed 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,” the VP stated.

Describing 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,” VP Shettima acknowledged the state’s contributions to Nigeria, which he said “stretch 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,” he maintained.

The Vice President recalled that Kano had gifted Nigeria “towering figures who reshaped” the nation’s “political philosophy and moral imagination,” citing prominent politicians like the late Alhaji Maitama Sule and Alhaji Aminu Kano as examples.

Welcoming Governor Yusuf to the APC, Senator Shettima described the governor as “another visionary son of Kano,” observing that the governor and his supporters are on “a political journey that speaks to the future of” Nigeria.

“His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir 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.

On behalf of the Federal Government, the VP sympathised with Governor Yusuf over the fire outbreak at Singer Market, assuring that the government at the centre will work collaboratively with the state “to ensure that support is extended to all those affected and that recovery efforts are swift and effective.”

Also, Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, noted 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.

On his part, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbas, said the coming of Governor 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.

For his part, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, said the Governor has made the right move by joining the APC, and the state is 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.

Prof Yilwatda handed over the symbolic APC flag to the Governor and some federal legislators who also decamped to the APC

Also, Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, described Governor 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 President Tinubu is happy with the political development in Kano.

Thanking Vice President and the APC entourage for the grand reception, Governor Yusuf said his official entry into the APC was a very important occasion and a defining moment for the state, noting that “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, adding that all the decisions he has taken as a governor were guided by the need to better the lot of the people.

Explaining why he dump the NNPP, Governor Yusuf said his former party was not providing the cohesion and stability required for the development of the state.

“Kano is too large and too important to be disconnected from the government at the centre,” he added, even as he pledged his support and loyalty to President Bola Tinubu.

Also, former National Chairman of APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, noted that Governor Yusuf’s defection has not only increased the numerical strength of the APC in Kano State but also consolidated the position of the party in the state.

“This move of the governor is a compound of party followers that will continue to think, act, plan and move together to ensure an all round development of Kano State,” he said.

Singer Market Inferno: FG, APC Govs Donate N8bn To Kano Traders

NCSP DG Salutes China on Spring Festival, Unveils Push for Export-Driven Economic Reset

By: Michael Mike

The Director-General of the Nigeria–China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), Joseph Tegbe, has congratulated the government and people of China on the Spring Festival, describing the celebration as symbolic of a renewed and more ambitious phase in Nigeria–China economic relations.

In a statement marking the Lunar New Year, Tegbe noted that this year’s festivities coincide with the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Nigeria and China, established in 1971. He said the milestone reflects a resilient partnership that has grown from formal diplomatic engagement into one of Africa’s most consequential economic relationships.

According to him, the relationship—now elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership—has expanded beyond trade to encompass infrastructure financing, industrial investment, technology cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.

He said China remains Nigeria’s largest trading partner and a major contributor to strategic infrastructure projects spanning rail, ports, power and industrial parks.

Tegbe, however, stressed that the next chapter of engagement must go beyond infrastructure development to focus on value addition, manufacturing and export competitiveness.

He described the Zero-Tariff initiative introduced by the Chinese government for qualifying African exports as a potential game-changer for Nigeria’s non-oil sector. The policy, he said, opens a pathway for Nigerian producers to access one of the world’s largest consumer markets under preferential trade terms.

“The Zero-Tariff arrangement provides Nigerian businesses with an unprecedented opportunity to scale exports, deepen industrial processing and create jobs at home,” Tegbe stated. “But access alone is not enough—success will depend on quality standards, efficient logistics and strong collaboration between government and the private sector.”

He disclosed that the NCSP is engaging stakeholders across manufacturing, agriculture and export promotion agencies to ensure Nigeria maximises the preferential trade window and translates diplomatic goodwill into measurable economic gains.

Tegbe added that as both countries commemorate 55 years of diplomatic engagement, the symbolism of the Spring Festival—renewal, growth and prosperity—mirrors what he described as a strategic recalibration of bilateral ties toward sustainable development and shared prosperity.

“With deliberate execution and policy discipline, this next phase of Nigeria–China relations can redefine our export landscape and strengthen industrial capacity,” he said.

Observers say the renewed emphasis on export diversification signals a broader shift in Nigeria’s foreign economic strategy, positioning China not just as an infrastructure partner but as a gateway for industrial expansion and global market access.

NCSP DG Salutes China on Spring Festival, Unveils Push for Export-Driven Economic Reset

Police recover 15 rustled cows in Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

The Police Command in Zamfara says its operatives have recovered 15 cows rustled by armed bandits during an attack on Gidan Kwagiri village in Damba District of Gusau Local Government Area.

Security sources said the incident occurred at about 1:30 a.m. on Feb. 15 when the bandits invaded the community and carted away cows and sheep belonging to residents.

According to the sources, upon receiving the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Damba Division mobilised personnel alongside patrol teams from the Department of Operations to pursue the attackers.

The team was said to have successfully recovered 15 cows, which were subsequently handed over to their owners.

Efforts, however, are ongoing to track down the suspects and recover the remaining rustled animals, while security patrols have been intensified in the area to forestall further attacks.

Police recover 15 rustled cows in Zamfara