Headlines
Ganduje sanctions filling stations with no firefighting equipment
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Kano state governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has directed the State Fire Service to prosecute owners of filling stations with no functional firefighting equipment.
Kano Focus reports that the governor gave the directive on Sunday, during a visit to Al-Ihsan Filling station, Sharada, which erupted into flames on Saturday, while a tanker was offloading fuel at the station.
A statement sent to Kano Focus by the Director –General, Media and Public Relations, Government House, Kano, Ameen Kabiru Yassar on Monday said the governor also directed the agency to seriously reprimand those filling stations with faulty fire equipment, stressing that his administration would not allow fuel to be sold under hazardous circumstances.
“The State Fire Service must undertake routine inspection of filling stations to ensure that they complied with all safety standards, so that lives and property are not endangered”.
In the same vein, he ordered the agency to conduct regular seminars for employees of filing stations, to educate them on best practices in fuel management and fire prevention.
“What happened at this station is terrible but preventable.
“This could not have happened had the fuel attendant who mishandled the situation been educated on risk and safety at filling stations” Ganduje lamented.
On his part, the Director, Kano Stet Fire Service, Alhaji Hassan Ahmad Muhammad explained that his office received a distress call from the station on Saturday evening and responded appropriately.
“We quenched the fire within two hours but, sadly, a fuel attendant mistakenly opened a fuel compartment and instantly, there was an explosion with injured about 68 people”, he stated.
He said out of the 68 victims, eight were his men, including his deputy, who led fire fighters to the venue of the incident.
He added that the victims, with various degrees of injury, including fractures, have all been hospitalized.
Subsequently, Ganduje led members of the state Executive Council and religious scholars to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, where the victims were admitted.
“I have directed the Ministry of Health to ensure that all of you are treated free.
“This is very pathetic. I pray Allah to grant you all speedy recovery and prevent recurrence of such in Kano”, he said.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday received a delegation from the Association of Kano Business Community at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during a thank-you visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
KANO FOCUS reports that the delegation expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its support to traders and other victims affected by the recent fire incident that razed several sections of the popular Singer Market in Kano.
Speaking during the meeting, the Vice President reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to collaborating with the Kano State Government and relevant agencies to prevent a recurrence of fire outbreaks in markets across the state.
He assured the delegation that President Tinubu has the interests of Kano people at heart, noting that the N5 billion approved as immediate relief for victims was based on the findings of a preliminary assessment of the damage caused by the inferno.
Shettima reiterated that the Federal Government would continue to support efforts aimed at restoring commercial activities and strengthening safety measures in markets to protect lives and property.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has inaugurated a 23-member committee to oversee the transparent and equitable distribution of financial assistance and relief materials to victims of the recent Singer Market fire disaster.
KANO FOCUS reports that the inauguration was carried out on behalf of the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Faruq Ibrahim, who chairs the committee. The event was presided over by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude.
According to the Attorney-General, the committee comprises representatives from key government agencies, security services, the Kano Emirate Council, religious leaders, and affected traders.
He said the panel’s mandate includes assessing the extent of losses, verifying genuine victims, ensuring timely distribution of support, and recommending measures to prevent future fire incidents.
The intervention follows support approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as contributions from the APC Governors Forum. It also comes in addition to earlier assistance provided by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting victims of the disaster and restoring commercial activities at Singer Market.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has announced Saturday, March 1, 2026, as the commencement date for the Eid-el-Fitr break for all public and private primary and post-primary schools in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the announcement, contained in the approved 2025/2026 academic calendar, applies to both day and boarding schools across the state.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Public Enlightenment, Musbahu Aminu Yakasai, parents and guardians of pupils and students in boarding schools are expected to convey their wards home by the early hours of Friday, February 28, 2026.
The statement further explained that boarding school students are to resume on Sunday, March 22, 2026, while day students are to resume on Monday, March 23, 2026.
It added that the second term will continue from Sunday, March 22, 2026, and end on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
The government directed all public and private schools in the state to comply strictly with the directive, warning that non-compliance would be treated as a breach of government instructions.
The Commissioner for Education, Ali Haruna Abubakar Makoda, urged parents and guardians to ensure full compliance with the approved resumption dates.
He appreciated parents and residents of the state for their continued cooperation and support to the ministry, and wished pupils and students a successful completion of the Ramadan fast and hitch-free Sallah celebrations.
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