FG Delegation, Dignitaries Attend Burial of Business Icon Aminu Dantata in Saudi Arabia as Senate Postpones Constitutional Review

A high-powered Federal Government delegation joined family members and prominent dignitaries in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday for the burial of renowned business tycoon and elder statesman, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, who passed away at 94.

The burial (Jana’iza) took place at Al-Baqi Cemetery following prayers at the Prophet’s Mosque, fulfilling the late billionaire’s wish to be laid to rest in the Islamic holy city.

The Federal Government delegation, led by Defence Minister Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, included key officials such as the Attorney General, Lateef Fagbemi, and Information Minister Mohammed Idris. Also present were Kano Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi, Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote (Dantata’s nephew), and prominent Islamic clerics.

Meanwhile, the Senate postponed its North-West zonal public hearing on constitutional amendments in honour of the late philanthropist. Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the deferment during plenary, stating that a new date would be set after consultations.

The hearings will proceed as scheduled in five other zones – Lagos (South-West), Enugu (South-East), Ikot Ekpene (South-South), Jos (North-Central), and Maiduguri (North-East) – from July 4-5. Key proposals under review include local government autonomy, state police, gender inclusivity in governance, and fiscal reforms.

Dantata, who died on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, was remembered as a pillar of northern Nigeria’s business community and a generous philanthropist. His funeral drew hundreds of mourners, including traditional rulers, political leaders, and business associates who paid their last respects to the iconic merchant.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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