Nigerian Dignitaries, Business Leaders Attend Aminu Dantata’s Burial in Madinah Saudi Arabia
Alhaji Aminu Dantata, a towering figure in Nigerian business and an elder statesman, was laid to rest Tuesday in the Islamic holy city of Madinah, Saudi Arabia. The funeral, held in accordance with his wishes, drew a high-profile delegation from the Nigerian Federal Government, prominent business magnates, and several state governors and traditional rulers.
Alhaji Dantata passed away on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, at the age of 94. His body arrived in Madinah on Tuesday morning, accompanied by his son, Alhaji Tajudeen Dantata, and his nephew, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, along with other family members.
Federal Government Presence
A federal government delegation, which had departed Nigeria late Sunday and arrived in Madinah early Monday, was on hand to pay their respects. The delegation was led by the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar.
Other key members of the official contingent included:
Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice
Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation
Honourable Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development
Hassan Abdullahi, Director of Internal Security at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), representing the NSA.
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Religious Leaders and Diplomatic Support
Accompanying the federal delegation were prominent Islamic clerics, including Dr. Bashir Aliyu Umar, Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa, and Khalifa Abdullahi Muhammad, the Imam of the Dantata Mosque in Abuja.
Officials from the Nigerian Consulate General in Jeddah, led by Ambassador Ibrahim Moddibbo, also joined the delegation. He was accompanied by Ambassador Muazzam Ibrahim Nayaya and Defence Attaché Major General Adamu Hassan, who played a crucial role in coordinating the funeral arrangements.
Prominent Figures in Attendance
The burial ceremony saw a significant turnout of notable Nigerians from various sectors. Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin and the immediate past Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, were present. They were joined by the Governors of Kano and Jigawa States, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf and Alhaji Umar Namadi, respectively.
Business titan Alhaji Aliko Dangote led other family members and close associates in honoring the late patriarch. Traditional leaders, including the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, and Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, also attended the solemn event.
Final Resting Place
Alhaji Aminu Dantata was interred at the Al-Baqi Cemetery after Janāʾizah prayers were held following Maghrib (sunset) prayers at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.
By PRNigeria
