Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau, on Saturday, joined hundreds of sympathisers at Umar bin Kattab Central Mosque, Dangi, Kano, to observe the Islamic funeral rites for the late Alhaji Aminu Dantata.
Dantata, a business mogul and philanthropist, died in the early hours of Saturday at a hospital in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, after a brief illness. He was aged 94 years.
Media reports said that the funeral was observed in absentia, in compliance with Islamic rites.
Kano-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil, who led the funeral prayers, described Dantata as a pillar and influential figure who built a community.
Speaking with journalists after the funeral, Deputy Senate President, Barau, extolled the virtues of the late Dantata and his contribution to the overall development of Kano State, and the northern part of the country.
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un. I mourn the passing of our father, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, an elder statesman, industrialist, business mogul, and philanthropist, who passed away on Saturday. He spent his life worshipping Allah SWT and in the service of humanity.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, the Kano business community, and the entire people of our state, Kano. Indeed, we have lost a father whose role in the development of our state and, indeed, the country cannot be over-emphasised.
“For decades, he was a leading figure in various business spheres: trading, construction, property, banking, manufacturing, oil and gas, etc. His highly cherished business acumen, exemplary philanthropy and interventions will continue to inspire us. He was a symbol of integrity.
“May Allah SWT grant Alhaji Aminu Dantata Aljannatul Firdausi. May Allah SWT give his immediate family and all of us the strength to bear this loss,” he said.