On Saturday, the Northern States Governors’ Forum made a significant donation to support the victims of the devastating petrol tanker explosion in Jigawa State. The explosion, which claimed over 170 lives and left many injured, prompted a collective response from the northern governors.
Led by Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, eighteen of the nineteen northern state governors, excluding Jigawa State, each contributed N50 million, totaling N900 million. This donation is aimed at rehabilitating the victims, their families, and the affected community.
The NSGF delegation, which included the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, and the deputy governors of Borno, Katsina, Taraba, Kebbi, and Yobe states, visited Jigawa State to announce the donation. Governor Yahaya emphasized that the collective contribution was to alleviate the suffering caused by the incident and assist the state government in managing the aftermath of the tragedy.
Describing the explosion as one of the most tragic incidents in recent memory, Yahaya underscored the shared responsibility of the northern governors to stand in solidarity with Jigawa. He expressed sorrow over the loss of young lives, acknowledging that many of the victims had the potential to contribute meaningfully to leadership and nation-building.
Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, expressed deep gratitude to his colleagues for their solidarity and generous support. He noted that the assistance would play a vital role in providing relief to the survivors and families of the victims.