Dantata for burial in S/Arabia today

The Saudi Arabian authorities have approved the burial of renowned Kano businessman, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, in Madina, close to the grave of his late wife, Hajiya Rabi’a Dantata, who passed away in 2023. Dantata’s Principal Private Secretary, Mustapha Junaid, confirmed the development, stating that the burial is scheduled for Monday morning. Announcing the update on […]

The Saudi Arabian authorities have approved the burial of renowned Kano businessman, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, in Madina, close to the grave of his late wife, Hajiya Rabi’a Dantata, who passed away in 2023.

Dantata’s Principal Private Secretary, Mustapha Junaid, confirmed the development, stating that the burial is scheduled for Monday morning.

Announcing the update on his official Facebook page on Sunday, Junaid wrote: “Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah. I have received approval to take Aminu Alhassan Dantata from Abu Dhabi to Madina. He will be buried tomorrow morning by the grace of Allah.”

Alhaji Dantata died in Dubai at the age of 94 following a brief illness. His death has sparked national mourning in Nigeria, with tributes pouring in from across the world.

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As part of the funeral rites, a special Islamic prayer session (Salatul Ga’ib) was held in Kano on Saturday. The event drew thousands of mourners, including high-profile dignitaries such as Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and several prominent Islamic clerics.

The Dantata family had earlier disclosed that the late business mogul expressed a wish to be buried in Madina-a request now fulfilled with the approval of the Saudi authorities.

 

‘He played key role in ACF’s formation’

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed sadness over the demise of Alhaji Aminu Dantata.

ACF, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, said: “Alhaji “Aminu Dogo’, a term of endearment reflecting his iconic tall stature, was easily one of Arewa’s finest elders and accomplished statesmen with a long history of achievements of national and international reputation.

“Alhaji Aminu was among the elder statesmen that initiated the movement that saw to the establishment of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) as a foremost sociocultural organisation of the peoples of northern Nigeria in 2000.

“To his credit, he had also invested financial resources which saw the emergence of ACF on sound footing and respect. Late Alhaji Aminu was also the father to Alhaji Tajudeen A. Dantata, ACF’s current financial secretary.

“Of the many roles he had played, he was a business mogul, scholar, philanthropist, public servant and community leader. Alhaji Aminu had served as pioneer Commissioner of Economic Planning and Development (1967-1976) in the newly created Kano State (incorporating the present-day Jigawa), a member of the Northern House of Assembly (representing Kano Province), the 1979 Constitution Drafting Committee, a politician, to list a few of his notable public service outings, apart from his many achievements in the private sector.

“Alhaji Aminu was a scion of the equally reputational, well-established, high achieving and uniquely accomplished merchant family from Kano; a direct descendent of the late Alhaji Alhassan Dantata’s iconic family, easily Kano’s (and Nigeria’s) hugely wealthy class’s known business pioneering milestones.

“Alhaji Aminu had stayed faithful to the Dantata Family’s legacies through his various investments and achievements in industry, commerce, education, industry, construction, mining, real estate, oil and gas, etc., across the globe, and through which he directly and indirectly impacted positively on millions of lives.

“As recent as August 2024, the ACF’s leadership led by Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, Chairman Board of Trustees, had paid a courtesy call on Alhaji Aminu during which occasion the team wished him further health and long life.

“It is therefore with a profound sense of loss that ACF receives the news of the demise of this illustrious son of Arewa, deeply mourns and prays for the peaceful repose of his soul in Aljanna Firdaus. ACF extends condolences to his family and friends, the people of Arewa, Kano State and Nigeria as a whole.”

 

His virtues worth emulating – Obi

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, said Dantata’s humility, compassion and simplicity, even in vast wealth, are virtues worth emulating.

In a statement on his X handle, Obi said the deceased uplifted not just Nigeria’s economy but the Nigerian people through his wisdom in commerce and his philanthropy.

“As we mourn him today, I pray Allah (SWT) grants him Aljannatul Firdaus and grants his family, and all of us, the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss,” Obi said.

 

LP, SDP want Dantata immortalised

The Labour Party (LP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) have urged the federal government to immortalise the late Dantata.

This is contained in separate statements by the acting National Chairman of the LP, Senator Nenadi Usman and SDP National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba.

Senator Usman said that the legacy of Alhaji Aminu Danta inspired and nurtured countless individuals to become giants in their rights, recalling that the late Alhaji Dantata believed in mentorship and investment in human capital development.

“The late businessman’s drive and foresight led to the remarkable success of his nephew, Aliko Dangote, Africa’s wealthiest man, whose story continues to reflect the enduring impact of Alhaji Dantata’s belief in building people, not just businesses.

“His passing is an immense loss, not only to his family and the people of Kano State but to the entire nation. His contributions to commerce, philanthropy, and national development will remain a guiding light for generations to come,” Usman said.

In a separate statement, the SDP spokesman said that the late business mogul was celebrated for his remarkable noble life of enduring enterprise and impactful philanthropy.

He said his memory will continue to be etched on the minds of many Nigerians across the divide, for the great impact he made in national development, the many lives he touched, the destinies he transformed, and the generation of young entrepreneurs that he mentored and moulded unto greatness.

“As an entrepreneur of great acclaim and an iconic frontline in the oil and commodity sector of the Nigerian economy, he founded the greatly successful Express Petroleum and Gas Company Ltd, which he grew into a big player in the Nigerian oil industry.

“He was also reputed as a leading figure in the promotion and establishment of Jaiz Bank, Nigeria’s first non-interest (Islamic) Bank, which is making great impacts in the banking industry.

“Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata was a great philanthropist during his lifetime. He made huge donations to many worthy causes for the enhancement of human dignity, such as education initiatives, healthcare, and the promotion of Islamic causes. His marks will remain indelible on the sands of time,” Aiyenigba said.

 

He was a creator of wealth – Northern democrats

The League of Northern Democrats (LND) has described Dantata as a creator of wealth with high standards of corporate social responsibility.

A statement by LND’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Ladan Salihu, said Dantata wasn’t just a businessman, but a transformer of business.

“We join millions of sympathisers across the world in mourning the loss of a towering icon – an extraordinary businessman, a politician, a statesman of distinction and a philanthropist whose life is a manifest inspiration to society,” he said.

He added that Dantata was a devout Muslim, with Islam guiding his whole life and business ethics.

“In that, he was a family man, a caring father and patriarch, a mentor, a philanthropist, a builder of men.

“As a devout Muslim, his life was lived in faith and humility, practising his religion faithfully, pursuing his dreams diligently and raising his family with love and discipline,” he added.

Meanwhile, Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has said the death of Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata was a great loss to the global business community, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

The governor, in a statement by his spokesperson, Abdullahi Idris Zuru, said Dantata’s conglomerate of many enterprises spread globally and is being benefitted by people worldwide, including his humanitarian services and philanthropic gestures.

He said the late business mogul would certainly be remembered for being among the architects of the rapid socio-economic development of Nigeria, particularly Kano, the economic hub of northern Nigeria.

While praying to Allah to overlook his shortcomings and reward his good deeds with Aljannah Firdausi, he urged the family to be consoled by his record of selflessness and exemplary services to humanity.