The final rites for the renowned Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, have been postponed to Tuesday.
Dantata, who passed away on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, was initially scheduled to be buried on Monday in Madina, Saudi Arabia.
The Nigerian government and several state governments had sent high-powered delegations to Saudi Arabia for the burial.
However, on Monday, Nigeria’s Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, told BBC Hausa that the burial had been postponed due to the late arrival of the deceased’s body in the holy city.
“There are regulations set by the Saudi government on how to bring a body for burial in the country, so now the paperwork is being filled out between the Saudi government and the family of the deceased,” the minister said.
Idris further explained that once the required documentation is completed, the body will be transported from the UAE to Saudi Arabia.
He added that the Nigerian embassy in Saudi Arabia, along with the family of the deceased, has already concluded all necessary funeral arrangements and is only awaiting the arrival of the remains.
According to reports, Dantata expressed in his will the desire to be buried in the holy city of Medina. His family honoured the request by seeking and receiving formal approval from Saudi authorities.
Meanwhile, the Kano State Council of Ulama held a funeral prayer in absentia, known as Salatul Gaib, for the deceased.
The Nigerian government delegation, led by the Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, is already in Madina for the burial.
Also present in Saudi Arabia are the Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf; the Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi; and the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.
