Anambra State Government on Tuesday commiserated with former governor Peter Obi and his family over the Boxing Day fire incident which engulfed their multibillion naira Next Cash and Carry Supermarket in Abuja.
In a statement, Anambra commissioner for information and public enlightenment C Don Adinuba said the business concern was a testimony of industry of Mr Obi and the spirit of Igbo people.
He said: “It is regrettable that this huge complex, the biggest shopping mall in the Federal Capital Territory, should go up in flames on a day the whole world was still rejoicing with Christendom over the birth of Jesus Christ some 2,000 years ago.
“It is a tremendous loss to not just the Obi family or the people of Anambra State who are famous the world over for their entrepreneurial skills or the Federal Capital Territory where the mall is located but the whole country.”
The state government expressed confidence that the mall would be rebuilt earlier than expected.
Adinuba thanked the fire services which responded promptly to extinguish the fire as well as security agencies that maintained order at the site.
He also commended various individuals who rushed to the scene to remove vital goods in the mall.
“These individuals could have made away with the goods, but they chose to play their brother’s keeper at a critical moment.
“It shows that despite the difficult times which the nation has been passing through of late, an overwhelming majority of everyday Nigerians are committed to the values of integrity and solidarity,” he said.
