FG sent a delegation led by the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, to the burial of Sani Dangote, Senate President, Lawan, was also at the burial
By Kehinde Okeowo
President Muhammadu Buhari followed up an earlier phone call to the Dangote family in Kano by sending a delegation to represent him at the burial of Alhaji Sani Dangote, Aliko’s younger brother who died after a protracted illness in the United States.
The body of the deceased was brought to Kano early on Wednesday and was buried after the funeral prayer at the Palace of the Emir of Kano.
In a message to Alhaji Aminu Dantata, the Patriarch of the Dantata family and to the President of the Dangote Group, Aliko, President Buhari paid tribute to the deceased as an honest business leader with a reputation for honesty and integrity.
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In a letter sent through the federal government (FG) delegation led by the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, President Buhari described the late Sani Dangote as “an exemplary person who, along with his brother, Aliko demonstrated the power of human spirit and determination.”
He thanked the Dangotes for spreading happiness and giving the country an appreciable identity to the world.
President Buhari prayed to Allah to grant fortitude to the Dantata and Dangote families over the loss.
The delegation met Hajiya Mariya Sunusi Dantata, the mother of the Dangotes and also consoled the Emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, and through him consoled the Emirate Council and the people of Kano.
The delegation was also received by the Governor, Dr. Abdullaahi Umar Ganduje who thanked the President for sending a powerful delegation to the burial.
The President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko and his uncle, Alhaji Aminu Dantata expressed appreciation to the President and prayed in turn for his good health and the success of the administration he leads.
In addition to Sirika, the FG delegation included the Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi; Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Mahmud Mohammed; Minister of Power, Engineer Abubakar Aliyu; Director-General DSS, Yusuf Magaji Bichi and the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.
Meanwhile, the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan also arrived in Kano this morning to attend the same burial.
Lawan was accompanied on the trip from Abuja by Senator Sani Musa, Senator Bello Mandiya, Senator Tokunbo Abiru and Alhaji Auwal Lawan(Sarkin Sudan Gombe).
In his condolence message, Lawan described Sani Dangote as a “great entrepreneur who brought his business acumen to impact positively on the Nigerian economy and Africa in general, particularly in the areas of manufacturing, agriculture and oil services.”
He said his death was “a great loss to Nigeria and Africa given the passion of the Dangote Group for the development of the country and continent