President Bola Tinubu on Friday afternoon departed Abuja for Kano State on a condolence visit to honor the memory of late elder statesman and prominent businessman, Alhaji Aminu Dantata.
The President left the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport accompanied by senior government officials who came to see him off, including Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
The visit comes as President Tinubu fulfills his commitment to personally pay his respects to the family of the late business magnate who passed away at age 94 on Saturday, June 28. Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga had earlier confirmed the condolence visit in an official statement.
Onanuga explained that President Tinubu was traveling abroad when news of Dantata’s death broke, preventing him from attending the burial ceremony in Saudi Arabia. However, the President had immediately directed some of his ministers, led by the Defence Minister, to represent him at the burial as a mark of respect for the late nonagenarian.
The 94-year-old Dantata was widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most successful entrepreneurs and philanthropists, having built a business empire that spanned several decades and contributed significantly to the country’s economic development.
During his visit to Kano, President Tinubu is expected to meet personally with members of the Dantata family to offer his condolences and share in their grief. The President will also extend his sympathies to the Kano State Government and the people of the state, acknowledging the significant loss of one of their most distinguished citizens.