By Rafiyat Sadiq
The Federal Government delegation arrived in Madina, Saudi Arabia, on Monday to receive the remains of the late elder statesman and business mogul, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, ahead of his burial.
The delegation, led by Minister of Defence Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, left Nigeria late Sunday and landed in the holy city early Monday morning.
According to a statement by Rabiu Ibrahim, Special Assistant to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, other members of the delegation include the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris; and Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Honourable Yusuf Abdullahi Ata.
Prominent Islamic clerics also joined the delegation, including Dr Bashir Aliyu Umar, Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa, and Khalifa Abdullahi Muhammad, the Imam of Dantata Mosque in Abuja.
Ambassador Muazzam Ibrahim Nayaya, who heads the Nigerian Consulate General in Jeddah, received the delegation and has been overseeing arrangements for the funeral rites, scheduled to take place later on Monday in accordance with Islamic tradition.
Alhaji Aminu Dantata died on Friday. However, his burial was postponed to secure the necessary approvals for interment in Madina, beside the grave of his late wife, in line with his final wishes.
Dignitaries, family members, and sympathisers from within and outside Nigeria are expected to attend the Janazah (funeral prayer) in Madina.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.