Pantami Donates ₦5m to Gombe Market Traders After Fire Razes Dozens of Shops
Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy and Chairman of the 4th Industrial Revolution Policy Council, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has donated ₦5 million to traders of the New Mile 3 Market in Gombe State following a devastating fire outbreak that destroyed scores of shops and goods worth millions of naira.
The donation followed a sympathy visit by Professor Pantami to the market earlier in the week after the inferno razed an estimated 60 to 70 shops, leaving many traders counting heavy losses. During the visit, Pantami expressed deep concern over the plight of the affected traders and offered prayers for their recovery.
“I deeply sympathise with all those affected by this unfortunate incident,” Pantami said. “I pray that Almighty Allah replaces what was lost with something better and sustains your livelihoods.”
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He was accompanied on the visit by notable community leaders and stakeholders, including Alhaji Ahmad Abubakar Walama, Dr. Abubakar Sa’idu, former Chief Medical Director of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, the Dan Amar of Gombe, Arc. Dahiru Sa’idu, and other dignitaries from across the state, who joined in commiserating with the traders.
The ₦5 million support was formally presented in cash to the New Mile 3 Market Association on Friday, February 6, 2026, in the presence of market leaders and representatives. Among those who received the delegation were the Chairman of the association, Malam Muhammad Auwal, and Alhaji Babangida National, alongside other executives of the market.
Speaking on behalf of the traders, Malam Muhammad Auwal described the intervention as timely and deeply reassuring. He noted that since the fire incident, Pantami was the first major public figure to visit the market and sympathise with those affected.
“Your visit and support have given renewed hope to traders struggling to recover from these losses,” Auwal said, adding that the gesture would go a long way in helping victims rebuild their businesses.
Traders at the market also expressed gratitude for the donation, describing it as a critical step toward restoring livelihoods and resuming normal commercial activities after the disaster.
By PRNigeria
