JUNE 30 – One of Nigeria’s wealthiest businessmen, Aminu Dantata, is ready to be buried in Saudi Arabia after he died on Saturday within the United Arab Emirates.
Business mogul Dantata, 94, an uncle of Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote, leaves three wives, 21 kids and 121 grandchildren.
His physique was set to be transferred from Abu Dhabi, the place he died, to the holy metropolis of Medina after Saudi authorities permitted his burial of their nation.
Nigeria’s Minister of Information Mohammed Idris instructed the BBC that the burial will occur on Tuesday as each the Nigerian embassy and the household are engaged on finishing the mandatory paperwork.
It was his want to be buried in a metropolis he adored and the place Islam’s prophet Muhammad lived and died.
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu described Dantata’s demise as a “monumental nationwide loss” in an announcement.
He stated Dantata had made “sterling contributions to Nigeria’s development and improvement” by way of many years of enterprise, service, and philanthropy.
He was identified throughout Nigeria for his philanthropic actions. Last 12 months, he donated 1.5 billion naira ($972,000; £710,000) to victims of the devastating floods in north-eastern Borno state.
His enterprise pursuits reduce throughout agriculture, actual property, development and manufacturing.
He first made his identify in agriculture, beginning buying and selling kola nuts and groundnuts within the Forties.
He got here from a enterprise household – his father Alhassan Dantata was as soon as thought-about to be the richest man in West Africa.
Despite his riches, Dantata lived in one of many poorest areas of the northern metropolis of Kano, like his mother and father earlier than him.
His affect was additionally felt in politics, with politicians keen to hunt his blessings earlier than elections.
A video of President Tinubu bowing to greet him earlier than the 2023 elections went viral on social media.
A particular prayer was held for him in Kano, the place he lived all his life.
Two Nigerian state governors and 4 authorities ministers have gone to Medina for his funeral.
Dantata studied Islamic training, earlier than going to a secondary college constructed by his father in Kano.
“In our household, a toddler begins studying learn how to earn cash from as early as 5, six or seven years previous,” he stated in considered one of his hottest interviews, with Trust TV final 12 months.
“Our father would inform us: ‘You see how individuals convey groundnuts on donkeys and in sacks – you must also know learn how to begin incomes cash.’ During college breaks, our father would use the time to show us learn how to do enterprise,” he stated.
He started venturing totally into enterprise at 17, taking on from his brother Ahmadu Dantata as head of the enterprise his father established in Bichi within the Nineteen Fifties.
By BBC
