In a significant act of corporate social responsibility, the Velocity Humanitarian Foundation has stepped forward with a N10 million donation to support traders affected by a devastating fire at the Gombe Timber Market. The blaze, which occurred on Monday night, destroyed over 60 shops and goods worth millions of Naira, dealing a severe blow to the local economy and countless livelihoods.
The foundation’s chairman, Malam Adamu Ibrahim, presented the cheque to the leadership of the Gombe State Timber Sellers Association on Friday, expressing profound sympathy for the victims. He explained that the incident had personally drawn the attention of the foundation’s founder, Engr. Aliyu Mohammed, who immediately directed the organization to provide support.
“Our core mission at Velocity Humanitarian Foundation is to impact lives positively, especially in times of crisis,” stated Malam Ibrahim. “This tragic fire compelled us to act in line with our objectives. We recognize that for many of these traders, their shop and inventory represent their life’s savings and sole source of income. This donation is intended to provide immediate relief and a foundation for rebuilding.”
He further issued a call to action, urging other well-meaning Nigerians, corporate bodies, and philanthropists within and outside Gombe State to assist the victims. “The scale of loss is immense. No single organization can shoulder this burden alone. Collective support is crucial to help these hardworking individuals recover from such a catastrophic loss of investment.”
In his response, the Chairman of the Timber Sellers Association, Malam Mohammed Ahmadu, expressed deep gratitude for the timely intervention. “This N10 million is immensely appreciated. We need all the support we can get to ameliorate the suffering of our members,” he said. He also highlighted the encouraging wave of solidarity from the community since the disaster struck.
Looking beyond immediate relief, Ahmadu revealed a critical long-term measure the association is taking to prevent future tragedies. “We have resolved to acquire a dedicated transformer for our market members. Crucially, this transformer will be switched off after business hours each day to eliminate the risk of electricity-related fire outbreaks, which are a common cause of such incidents in markets across Nigeria.” This proactive step underscores a painful lesson learned and a move towards greater safety and risk management.
Market fires in Nigeria often have cascading effects, wiping out small businesses, increasing local unemployment, and disrupting supply chains. The Velocity Foundation’s donation, therefore, represents more than just financial aid; it is a vital injection of hope and a catalyst for recovery that can help stabilize the local economy. It sets a precedent for how targeted philanthropic intervention can serve as a critical first responder in the aftermath of community disasters.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the fire outbreak has left a massive void in the market. As the rebuilding process begins, the combination of immediate humanitarian aid from foundations like Velocity and the association’s own commitment to improved infrastructure offers a blueprint for resilience in the face of adversity.
