Federal Delegation, Governors, and Royalty Attend Dantata’s Burial in Madinah
The Federal Government of Nigeria joined prominent figures in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, July 1, for the funeral of business titan and elder statesman Alhaji Aminu Dantata, who was buried in Al-Baqi Cemetery, Madinah, following Maghrib prayers at the Prophet’s Mosque.
Dantata, aged 94, passed away on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and was buried in accordance with Islamic rites and his personal wishes.
FG Delegation Led by Defence Minister Badaru Abubakar
A delegation representing the Federal Government arrived in Madinah on Monday, led by Minister of Defence, Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar. Other officials included:
- Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) – Attorney General of the Federation & Minister of Justice
- Mohammed Idris – Minister of Information and National Orientation
- Yusuf Abdullahi Ata – Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development
- Hassan Abdullahi – Director of Internal Security, ONSA
They were joined by top Islamic scholars, including Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa and Dr. Bashir Aliyu Umar, and representatives from the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah, led by Ambassador Ibrahim Moddibbo.
Dantata’s Family, Dangote, and Traditional Leaders Pay Tribute
The deceased’s son, Tajudeen Dantata, and nephew, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, led the family delegation. Other high-profile attendees included:
- Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin
- Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, former APC National Chairman
- Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano) and Governor Umar Namadi (Jigawa)
- Emir Muhammad Sanusi II and Emir Aminu Ado Bayero
The burial was attended by hundreds, reflecting the late Dantata’s legacy as a national icon, philanthropist, and pillar of the Nigerian business community.
Senate Postpones North-West Constitution Review in Honour of Dantata
In response to the elder statesman’s passing, the Nigerian Senate has rescheduled the North-West Zonal Public Hearing on constitutional amendments. Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the postponement during Tuesday’s plenary.
“We observe a minute of silence in honour of a distinguished Nigerian, Alhaji Aminu Dantata. The North-West hearing is postponed and will be rescheduled after consultation with stakeholders,” Akpabio said.
The Deputy Senate President, currently in Saudi Arabia, is expected to coordinate the new date upon his return.
Constitution Review Hearings Continue in Five Zones
While the North-West session is on hold, the Senate confirmed that nationwide hearings will proceed as scheduled on July 4 and 5 in the following zones:
- Lagos (South-West)
- Enugu (South-East)
- Ikot Ekpene (South-South)
- Jos (North-Central)
- Maiduguri (North-East)
Senator Barau Jibrin, chair of the Senate Constitution Review Committee, described the hearings as crucial to democratic development.
“These sessions give Nigerians across all zones a voice in shaping their governance and constitutional future,” he noted.
Key Constitutional Reforms Under Review
Several high-impact constitutional proposals will be presented during the hearings, including:
✅ Local Government Autonomy – Granting LGAs full constitutional recognition and independence
✅ National LG Electoral Commission – Centralizing and standardizing local election management
✅ State Police Formation – Enhancing internal security through localized policing
✅ Fiscal Responsibility Bills – Strengthening budget transparency and remittance compliance
✅ Gender Inclusion in Governance – Reserving legislative seats for women at national and state levels
These reforms aim to enhance accountability, security, and inclusive governance across Nigeria.
Alhaji Aminu Dantata’s burial drew widespread national and international attention, underlining his enormous impact on Nigeria’s economic and philanthropic landscape. As the nation mourns his loss, attention now turns to critical legislative reforms that could shape the country’s democratic journey for decades to come.
