The body of the late Nigerian industrialist and elder statesman, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, has arrived in Madina, Saudi Arabia, where preparations are underway for his burial in accordance with Islamic customs.
Confirming the arrival, the family’s spokesperson, Mustapha Junaidu, revealed that the funeral prayer (Janazah) is scheduled to take place after the Asr (late afternoon) prayer in the holy city.
“We have safely landed in Madina,” Junaidu stated on Tuesday. “We are now heading into the city to complete arrangements for the funeral prayer.”
Dantata’s burial had earlier been delayed due to procedural requirements regarding the repatriation of a deceased person into Saudi Arabia. The Nigerian government acknowledged on Monday that regulatory protocols from the Saudi authorities had caused the postponement.
“The Saudi government has clear regulations on bringing in bodies for burial, and the necessary documentation had to be properly completed between the authorities and the family,” Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, said in a statement to the BBC.
Before his passing, Dantata was widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most prominent businessmen and philanthropists, playing a major role in shaping the country’s commercial landscape.
More Read
His wish to be buried in Saudi Arabia, a land revered by Muslims around the world, has now been honored.
