One in every of Nigeria’s wealthiest businessmen, Aminu Dantata, is ready to be buried in Saudi Arabia later after he died on Saturday within the United Arab Emirates.
Enterprise mogul Dantata, 94, an uncle of Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote, leaves three wives, 21 kids and 121 grandchildren.
His physique was transferred from Abu Dhabi the place he died to Medina after Saudi authorities permitted his burial of their nation.
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 dying as a “monumental nationwide loss” in an announcement.
He stated Dantata had made “sterling contributions to Nigeria’s progress and improvement” by a long time of enterprise, service, and philanthropy.
He was recognized throughout Nigeria for his philanthropic actions. Final yr, he donated 1.5 billion naira ($972,000; £710,000) to victims of the devastating floods in north-eastern Borno state.
His enterprise pursuits minimize throughout agriculture, actual property, building and manufacturing.
He first made his title in agriculture, beginning buying and selling kola nuts and groundnuts within the Nineteen 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.
Regardless of 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 governors and the defence minister have gone to Medina for his funeral.
Extra about Nigeria from the BBC:
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