Nigeria’s renowned business mogul, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, who passed away on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), was laid to rest on Tuesday at the Al-Baqi Cemetery in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. His burial took place shortly after the Jana’iza prayers, which were conducted following the Maghrib prayer at the Prophet’s Mosque.
The Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation confirmed this in a statement released on Tuesday. The statement, which was signed by Rabiu Ibrahim, Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister, noted that Dantata’s remains arrived in Madinah early Tuesday morning. He was accompanied by his son, Alhaji Tajudeen Dantata, his nephew, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and other close family members.
A delegation representing the Nigerian Federal Government was also present during the funeral rites. The delegation had left Nigeria on Sunday evening and reached Madinah early Monday morning. The group was led by the Minister of Defence and former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar.
Other top officials in the delegation included the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris; and the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Ata. Also present was Hassan Abdullahi, Director of Internal Security at the Office of the National Security Adviser, who represented the NSA.
Religious leaders were also part of the Nigerian group. Among them were Dr. Bashir Aliyu Umar, Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa, and Khalifa Abdullahi Muhammad, the Imam of the Dantata Mosque in Abuja.
Representatives of the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah took part in organizing and attending the burial. Ambassador Ibrahim Moddibbo led this group, joined by Ambassador Muazzam Ibrahim Nayaya and Defence Attaché, Major General Adamu Hassan.
Other dignitaries in attendance included Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin, former APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, and Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State.
Alhaji Aliko Dangote led the Dantata family and close friends in paying their last respects. The Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, and Emir Aminu Ado Bayero were also at the funeral to honor the late business icon.
