Atiku asks FG to immortalise Aminu Dantata

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has described the death of Aminu Dantata, the billionaire businessman, as an “earthshaking loss”.

Dantata died on Saturday at the age of 94.

In a statement issued by his media office, Abubakar advised the federal government to immortalise Dantata by renaming a public institution after him to recognise his “immeasurable services” to humanity and the nation’s economy.

He said the late businessman’s impact was felt across Nigeria and Africa, especially on job creation.

“Aminu Dantata was a successful businessman for decades who had inspired a generation of other younger people to venture into business investment and prosperity. It is impossible to talk about business issues in Nigeria without a reference to the Dantata family,” he said.

Abubakar said Dantata was a risk taker, one of the qualities of great entrepreneurs and business investors.

“I’m particularly impressed by how the late Aminu Dantata transformed the family businesses from traditional buying and selling into modern civil engineering and construction services that had created thousands of jobs for Nigerians,” he said.

“Dantata was a remarkable person who engaged in philanthropic activities without seeking publicity for his good deeds to humanity.

“To be enormously rich without ostentation is a rare quality that made Aminu Dantata a shining public figure who was a fountain of inspiration for many people.”

Abubakar said Dantata was a “decent and uncontroversial public figure who avoided divisive utterances,” adding he was dedicated his life to serving humanity with his extensive philanthropic activities, which he carried out quietly.