Governor Charles Soludo has expressed deep sadness following the tragic death of the Omatu brothers from Anambra State, who died in a massive fire at the GNI Building in Lagos.
The victims were hardworking businessmen from the Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.
They were reportedly trapped inside the multi-story Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) building on Lagos Island when the fire broke out on Christmas Eve.
In a statement released on Wednesday by his spokesperson, the Governor described the incident as a "monumental loss" not just for their family, but for the entire state.
He praised the entrepreneurial spirit of the brothers, who had moved to Lagos to build their businesses and contribute to the economy.
The GNI Building, located in the busy heart of the Lagos central business district, is a well-known hub for traders and insurance firms.
Preliminary reports suggest the fire started on one of the upper floors and spread quickly due to the presence of combustible materials.
While emergency services worked for hours to put out the flames, the two brothers were unfortunately unable to escape in time.
Governor Soludo has called on the Lagos State Government and fire service authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the blaze.
He also urged Lagos market leaders to ensure that fire safety rules are strictly followed to prevent such tragedies in the future.
"Our hearts go out to the grieving family," the Governor said. "We stand with them in this time of great sorrow and pray for the repose of the souls of the departed."
