The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has pledged Five Hundred Million Naira to support the Sokoto State government to rebuild the Sokoto Central market that was gutted by fire.
Wike, made the pledge on behalf of the State government during a visit to the Governor of Sokoto State Aminu Waziri Tambuwal on Wednesday.
The Governor who was conducted round the market which was burnt on Tuesday by his host, Governor Tambuwal, said he was saddened by the devastating fire that razed over 60 per cent of the 16,000 shops in the market.
According to him, part of the money will be used to support victims of the devastating fire that destroyed goods worth billions of Naira.
“We have come here to commiserate and sympathise with our brother, our friend and the good people of Sokoto State on what had happened to one of the biggest market in this country, the Sokoto central market.
“When I got the information last night, I was touched and I said as brothers, what affects you affects us. What affects Sokoto State affects Rivers State,” said Wike while empathizing with traders at the market over their losses.
Governor Tambuwal on his part thanked Governor Wike and the people of Rivers State for the kind gesture.
Over a thousand, six hundred shops were razed in the inferno that destroyed the market in Sokoto Central Market in Sokoto State.
Wike also paid a courtesy visit to the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar in his palace to commiserate with him over the demise of junior brother, Hon. Abdulkadir Jeli Abubakar, who was Sokoto State Commissioner for Home Affairs.
In his response, Sultan Abubakar, acknowledged the age-long relationship between Sokoto and Rivers State and lauded to Governor Wike for sustaining it.
He explained that Wike’s visit and pledge to support Sokoto State is a demonstration of what Nigeria is and should be.
The Sultan further commended Governor Wike for his remarkable developmental stride in Rivers State.
“I commend you and congratulate you for all what you have been doing for Rivers state in particular, because we have seen a lot of infrastructure being put in place and that is why they call you Mr project in Rivers.
“You have just some few more years, please do much more so that nobody will beat you when he take over from you
