Mammoth crowds consisting All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters and New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) members on Friday gave President Bola Tinubu a rousing welcome to Kano state.

The president was in the ancient city to pay condolences to the family of business icon, Aminu Dantata, who died recently.

Tinubu landed at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) and was received by Governor Abba Yusuf, Deputy Senate President, Barau Ibrahim Jubrin and others

Condoling the family of the late business tycoon, Tinubu said the deceased had embodied the highest values of public service and human compassion.

Dantata, a renowned industrialist who hailed from Kano, passed away at 94 on Saturday morning, June 28, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

He was buried at the Baqiyya Cemetery in Madina, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to fulfill his wish.

“This is a deeply personal visit for me. I came to condole with the Dantata family and the good people of Kano. He was not just a respected figure; he was part of my family,” the President said.

Tinubu recalled the counsel and prayers he received from Dantata during the 2023 presidential election campaign.

“I came to him for prayers before the election, and he gave me his blessings. I promised to come back and thank him, but instead of me visiting, he came to Abuja. That was the kind of man he was: humble, simple, and sincere,” the President noted.

He praised the late elder statesman for his unwavering honesty, compassion, and generosity, describing him as a man who lived for others.

“If friendship and goodwill continue into the hereafter, Dantata will be there in the marketplace, feeding the hungry and comforting the sick. He gave so much of himself to the service of our country and its people,” he said.

The President extended heartfelt condolences to the Dantata family, the government and people of Kano State, and the entire nation.

“We have lost a titan. We have lost the conscience of our country. May Allah, in His infinite mercy, grant him Aljannah Firdaus,” he prayed.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information an Strategy, Bayo Onanuga added that President Tinubu also offered prayers for peace, strength, and solace for the bereaved family and all those mourning the departed elder.

Speaking on behalf of the government and people of Kano State, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his compassion and unwavering support during the mourning period.

He recalled that following the elder statesman’s passing, the President dispatched a high-powered federal delegation to Saudi Arabia, led by the Minister of Defence, to attend the funeral rites.

The Governor also led a state delegation, alongside his Jigawa State counterpart, to join the federal delegation at the burial in Medina.

“The entire process was seamless and successful, thanks to your leadership and support. We also know your appeals to Saudi Arabia and Dubai leaders, which facilitated the necessary arrangements. For this, we remain grateful,” Governor Yusuf said.

He commended the President for previously sending the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, and another federal delegation to condole with the family before personally taking time to visit despite his demanding national schedule.

“We pray Allah (SWT) grant our father and elder statesman eternal rest. We also pray for your continued strength and good health, so that you may continue to deliver on your commitment to building a better Nigeria,” the Governor added.

The eldest son of the deceased, Alhaji Tajudeen Aminu Dantata, thanked the President for honouring the family with his presence and support.

“Much has been said today about His Excellency’s swift and heartfelt response upon hearing of our father’s passing. We cannot thank you enough. You have demonstrated closeness with him while he was alive, and even in his death, you have proven that he was a dear brother and friend.

“We witnessed your relationship with him before you became President. We saw how you engaged with him during his lifetime and reacted to his demise. On behalf of the family, we thank you wholeheartedly,” he said.

Alhaji Tajudeen Dantata assured the President that the family would uphold the values and legacy of their late patriarch.

“We pray for your continued good health, Your Excellency, and for the courage and tenacity you have shown in your efforts to lead our nation forward. May you succeed in your mission to build a greater Nigeria,” he said.

”We wish you the best of health. For the courage, tenacity that you have shown to take the country out of its doldrums, to clear the path to a greater Nigeria, thank you very much. You will be in our prayers always,” he said.

Among those who accompanied the President on the condolence visit were Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of State for the FCT, Mariya Mahmud, Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Said Ahmad, Minister of State Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata.

Also present at the condolence visit were the Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, a nephew of the late Aminu Dantata, elder statesman Alhaji Tanko Yakassai and Alhaji Mohammed Indimi.