The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has donated N40 million and food items to victims of the recent tanker explosion in the Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

Mrs Tinubu, represented by Wife of the Speaker of House of Representatives, Fatima Tajuddeen-Abbas, made the donation on Thursday during a sympathy visit to the state.

The speaker’s wife was accompanied by the wife of Kano State governor, Hajiya Maryam Abba, and wife of the Minister of State for Agriculture, Sa’adatu Sano, in Dutse.

More than 180 people lost their lives, while 80 others sustained injuries in the fuel tanker explosion that occurred on October 15 in Majiya town in Taura council area of the state.

The first lady also donated 200 cartoons of spaghetti and 200 bags of 25kg rice as part of efforts to cushion the effects of the explosion on the survivors and families of the deceased.

Responding, wife of Jigawa State governor, Hadiza Namadi commended Mrs Tinubu for the gesture, expressing the regret that the tragic incident had left deep wounds in the hearts of many.

Mrs Namadi, however, said that the love and support from compassionate leaders had helped in strengthening the state government, survivors and the families of the deceased to bear the loss.

“On behalf of the people of Jigawa State, I extend our sincere appreciation to the first lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her kind gesture of sending the wife of the Speaker, Hajiya Fatima Tajuddeen-Abbas, along with her esteemed delegation to convey her heart-felt condolences. In particular, we wish to express our deepest gratitude for the generous donation of 200 bags of rice and 200 cartons of spaghetti to support the families of the victims. This act of kindness will go a long way in alleviating the sufferings of those who have lost their loved ones,” Mrs Namadi said.

She assured that the items would be judiciously distributed to the families of the victims.

(NAN)