MY HUMBLE TRIBUTE TO OUR LATE LEADER AND FATHER
My family and I are extremely touched by the passing of Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, whom I have known since February 22nd, 1973. That was the day the Moroccan Airline conveying returning pilgrims from Jeddah to Kano crashed. It was the day I was coming back home from my studies in the United Kingdom. By sheer coincidence Chairman was also coming back home with one of his spouses. Late Sa’duna Dantata and Ibrahim Abubakar Ganyama accompanied Baba to Heathrow Airport to board a Nigeria Airways flight back to Kano. There was a little mishap with one of the couples’ luggages and I was able to provide a solution. We eventully flew back to Nigeria but unable to land at the closed Kano Airport due to the air crash. We spent a night at an hotel in Ikeja.The following day Chairman ordered for a brand new Peugeot 504 SW to ferry him and Hajiya back to Kano. There was no room in the car to accommodate me and my own luggage. Baba
comforted me with an assurance that the airline will eventually take me to either Kaduna or Kano in a day or two. The most striking and wonderful thing for me was that he gave me a wad of plenty freshly minted Naira notes, which I was seeing for the first time since the currency was just introduced in Nigeria.
I now testify that for the last fifty two years Chairman has acted as a father, mentor, guide and remarkable benefactor. He was generous to me with his time , his counsel, his favours and, above all his confidence, even by way of delegating weighty assignment to me. Alhmadu LilLah for his life.
It is thus a privilege and an honour for me, with a very heavy heart, to pen my humble tribute to the passing of this societal Colossus and Indomitable Icon whose being has touched on the lives of many.
Baba Aminu’s demise marks the end of an era characterized by service to the Ummah in many ways and his golden legacy will live on till eternity. His life shall remain a guiding light for generations yet unborn.
As an elder statesman he stood as a very devout Muslim, philanthropist par excellence and an epitome of integrity and honesty. Baba Aminu was more than a business mogul, but was a beacon and symbol of humility as well as a pillar of wisdom so deeply rooted in the fabric of the cultural values of our society.
Chairman, as Alhaji Aminu was popularly called, graciously carried the torch of enterprise with sublime grace and boundless dignity. Although he was the architect of a sprawling empire yet he lived with incredible simplicity easily approachable for one and all. He simply gave without seeking applause. His imprint shall remain indelibly visible through the infinite positive intervention he made in Education (Islamic and Western) healthcare and extremely generous empowerment.
It is on record and very common knowledge that Baba Aminu has sponsored educational pursuit to those badly in need, underwritten medical expenses by way of sponsorships to those who sought his intervention including for such care in Nigeria or overseas. His blessed sojourn on planet earth has immensely touched so many lives not only in Kano but also across Nigeria and even beyond.
When it comes to our country’s economic situation Baba Aminu’s contributions are unquantifiable. He staunchly remained steadfast to the growth and development of northern economy as well as the unity of our nation in such a remarkable way.
Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata was a bridge builder, a peace maker, a Strong voice of reason whose lifetime sermon dwelled on good governance and how leadership should be accountable and answerable to the yearnings and aspirations of citizens.
My family and I sorrowfully mourn Baba Aminu’s departure. But we, along with everyone take solacein the fact that he lived a worthy life of purpose, of impact, of unwavering faith, remarkable empathy, compassion, care, concern and giving without limit or compunction.
Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata left us with a wonderful mantra – that true wealth lies in service and that greatness is not in what we possess but in what we give .
We pray that Almighty Allah forgives Baba Aminu’s shortcomings, rewards his good deeds and grant him Jannatul Firdausil A’ala. May his legacy continue to serve as inspiration to us all. May his family and the entire Muslim Ummah find comfort and solace in the tremendous goodwill he left behind.
May Allah SWT bear witness that Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata came, saw and handsomely uplifted our society.
Allah ya jikan sa da rahama madauwamiya don kaunar mu da Rasulullahi SAWS. Ameen
Ahmed Aminu.
GASKIYATA 
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